Did she really have to show up every time they needed her, just because they needed her?

"Fine. Suit yourself. I'm hanging up now."

Vince stepped out of the bedroom, water glass in hand, intent on refilling it. He paused when he saw the kitchen light was still on.

The air was thick with the warm, buttery aroma of something baking—a blend of milk and eggs.

He walked quietly to the kitchen doorway and found Jessica standing at the counter, deftly spreading frosting over a cake.

She was making a cake?

Today was Henry's birthday.

She remembered.

Vince lingered in the shadows, keeping his distance.

About half an hour later, Jessica emerged from the kitchen, carrying the cake.

It was small-maybe six inches across-but carefully decorated, the creamy swirls on top forming a delicate pattern.

Vince watched her from behind a wall, hidden, silent.

He expected Jessica to box up the cake and take it to the hospital. Instead, she carried it straight back to her room.

Vince trailed her upstairs.

door closed

Jessica's bedroom. From the far corner, separated by the glass, he watched as she

Henry would have turned

crossed to her desk, pulled out a scrapbook filled

flipped open the

Vince saw

read

her and Henry together on

vigil at his bedside when he was

together in the same

watching TV, Henry planting

So many memories.

her back to when that

to remember, he'd captured-painstakingly,

even made a picture of the

Oakwood, when she overheard Henry

when he could finish a book all

He remembered.

the end, he gave his first completed book to

onto the

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255