Page 8 of Dancing in the Rain

Sara dropped her chin to her chest. “I know,” she whispered. “So am I.”

Peyton’s throat clogged up. She had to be strong. “I’m here, hon.” She slid an arm behind Sara’s shoulders. “And know what? I’m scared, too.”I’m fucking terrified.

Terrified that she was losing her sister, the only family she had left. Other than Chloe, of course. Terrified that even though she was there, she wouldn’t be strong enough. Wouldn’t be able to handle what was coming; wouldn’t be able to take care of Sara the way she needed. “So we’re in this together.”

Sara closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

Peyton’s heart wrenched. “Don’t you apologize,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Donotapologize. This is not your fault.”

“I know, I know. I just hate that I’ve disrupted your life so much.”

“Oh, my God, that doesn’t even matter.” She hugged Sara’s shoulders.

“Was Gordo angry that you’re taking more time off?”

“Yeah, I think he was.” Peyton grinned.

“Oh, man.”

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t ask him, I just tell him. That probably pisses him off, too. I kind of enjoy it.” She paused. “So what’s happening, sis?”

Sara had been diagnosed less than two years ago. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and lungs. She’d had surgeries, radiation treatment, chemotherapy, treatment with a new type of monoclonal antibody that for a while actually seemed to be working…but then wasn’t. The doctors were out of options now.

“I’m just so tired,” Sara said quietly. “I can’t believe how fast things changed. It’s even getting harder to breathe.”

“Chloe says you’re not eating.”

“That little tattletale.” A smile drifted over Sara’s face. “Yeah, I don’t have much appetite.”

This was not good.

“What are you watching?” Peyton nodded at the TV where a commercial now played.

“Ellen DeGeneres. She makes me laugh.”

“Yeah. Laughing is good. I’ll watch with you, then you’ll tell me what needs to be done around here.”

Peyton picked up the remote and fast-forwarded through the commercial to resume the show. She smiled and laughed along with Sara, but worry distracted her. This huge house was too much for Sara. Sara had lived there with their parents, who’d helped care for her with Chloe. When their parents had died, technically half the house became Peyton’s, but since property values in Lincoln Park had skyrocketed, there was no way Sara could afford to buy out Peyton’s half of the house despite her well-paying job as a corporate attorney in the legal department of First Insurance. It might have been smarter to sell, but they both loved the house and the neighborhood, and there were good schools nearby for Chloe. And Peyton had her apartment in New York, so it wasn’t like she needed the money.

“Okay,” Peyton said as the show ended, pushing to sit up. “What would you like? Something to drink? Tea? Junk food?”

Sara smiled. “You know what I’d love? McDonald’s French fries.”

“You got it.”

“I was kidding. You don’t have to go out and get me that.”

“I’m here to get you whatever you want.” Peyton grinned. “Back in a few.”

She’d haul her suitcase up to the guest room later. She’d also investigate the contents of the fridge and cupboards later and figure out what she could cook for dinner. Luckily, she knew the whereabouts of the nearest McDonald’s and was quickly back with a bag of fast food.

She held it up as she entered the bedroom. “Here you go. Of course, I couldn’t resist a Big Mac and some fries of my own. Also I brought you a chocolate shake.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Maybe so. Let’s eat.”

She watched her sister eat, disappointed when Sara stopped after only a few fries. “Really?” she asked. “That’s all you can eat?”

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