Page 76 of Through the Snow Globe
Diana held out her palm. “Here, let me help you put the scarf on.”
Addy handed her back the scarf. Then she climbed out of bed and slowly headed to the bathroom. She stood in front of the mirror, bracing her hands on the sink in front of her.
“I’ll get you a chair.” Diana pulled one up for Addy to sit on like she did every day. “Energy conservation, remember? Save your energy for the important stuff.”
“Like?” Addy asked, draping the scarf over the top of her head.
“Like talking to Jay.”
Addy’s gaze connected with Diana’s through the mirror. “How do you know about Jay?”
“Long story. You’ll just have to trust that I know what I’m talking about,” Diana said.
Addy looked down for a moment. “The doctors and nurses told me to trust them too. I guess I’m getting better so listening to their advice worked out.”
“Great, so you’ll FaceTime Jay in a minute?”
Addy’s jaw dropped as she connected gazes with Diana again. “I can’t do that.”
“Give me one reason why not?” Diana asked.
Addy’s lips molded around words that didn’t come out. Finally, she said, “What if he’s not into me anymore?”
“Then it’s his loss. But I think you should give him the benefit of the doubt. Your mom says that Jay and your best friend have tried to call you.” It was just a tiny lie, but enough to give Diana an edge on the conversation.
Addy looked down at her hands. “I don’t have anything to say to them anymore. We have nothing in common.”
“Yes, you do.” Diana squeezed Addy’s shoulder, making her look back up. Then she helped Addy tie the scarf around the back of her head and smiled back at her through the mirror. “You look amazing.”
Addy smiled too. “It’s pretty.”
“You’re the pretty one. Now go FaceTime Jay and get the real story of how he’s feeling firsthand.”
Addy reluctantly got up from the chair and moved to her bed. “You’re staying, right?”
Diana slid her gaze to Addy’s bedside clock. It was four o’clock. She still had a little time left before Linus closed his store. “Of course. If you want me to.”
“I do.” Addy reached for her cell phone and held it with shaking hands. “I’m so nervous. He hasn’t seen me since I started chemotherapy and radiation.”
“But he’s tried?” Diana asked.
Addy looked down for a moment. “Yeah. At first. I answered one night and told him to leave me alone. I told him I didn’t want to see him anymore.”
Diana’s lips parted. This was new information. “You broke up with him?”
“I didn’t mean it. And I didn’t mean that he should start hanging out with Sierra.” Addy blew out a breath. “Aren’t guys supposed to fight for you?”
Diana shook her head. “If you ask them to leave you alone, they’re supposed to respect your request. They’re not mind readers, you know?”
Addy rolled her lips together. Then she tapped her finger along her screen.
Diana assumed she was pulling up Jay’s contact. “You’re sure you want me to stay?”
“Just for a couple minutes. In case he tells me he doesn’t like me anymore and doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“That’s not going to happen. Press Dial.”
Addy sucked in a breath and tapped her screen. Then she held her phone to her ear.
