4
I didn’t see him again. He went overseas.
I dragged myself to work, handing everything
over to Mark and Jessica.
Then I bought a small cottage by the sea,
ready to die alone.
I took my family to dinner one last time.
I raised my glass.
“Mom, Dad, thank you for raising me. Mark,
David, thank you for being my brothers.
Cheers.”
I drained my glass.
“One more thing. I’m moving out. I won’t be
back.
99
Jessica started crying.
“Sarah, I know you don’t like me. You’re just
trying to make Mom and Dad un–adopt me,
aren’t you? What do I have to do to make you
happy?”
I cut her off.
“It’s not you. I have terminal cancer. I don’t
want my family to see me like that.”
Mom slammed her hand on the table.
“Enough! I’m keeping Jessica. I don’t care
what lies you make up.
99
Mark said, “Sarah, come on. We still love you.
It’s just one more sister.”
David frowned.
L
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m a doctor. You think I
wouldn’t know if you had cancer?”
I turned to Dad.
“Dad, you don’t believe me either?”
He looked down, silenced by Mom’s glare.
I laughed, tears streaming down my face. I
finished the bottle of wine.
I’d repaid their kindness. I had no family left.
The next day, when David rushed home with
my medical records, I was gone.
