Chapter 37

“He looks pale and thinner to me.”

Philip’s parents walk over to us. My mother is at my side, crying into a tissue. “I’m so sorry, Chris.”

I pull out of Philip’s arms and turn to her. “There has to be something we can do for him.”

She holds her hands out as if asking for a hug. “Your father wanted to be here to enjoy whatever time he has left with his family. That’s what we’re going to do.” She pauses to blow her nose. “I’m sorry for not telling you when we spoke on the phone. Your father didn’t want me to say anything.”

“Does Paula know?” I ask.

She nods.

My skin prickles from a chill in the air. “You told her but not me?”

“She lives across town from us,” Lori says.

“I’m a phone call away,” I tell her, my heartbeat pounding hard in my ears.

Philip grabs my hand and whispers into my ear, “Why don’t we go for a walk?”

“I’m so sorry, sweetie,” I hear my mother say as Philip and I leave the church.

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