Lily, lying in bed, had a pale face and lacked color in her lips, but she was smiling happily.
She was on the phone with Cole, softly saying, "Thank you, Mr. Zuniga, for sending so many things. I feel embarrassed to accept them. Actually, I'm fine, just a bit of low blood sugar. What? Do you want to have dinner with me? Oh, there's no need to go through all that trouble."
After hanging up, Lily looked triumphant.
She said, "Did you hear that, Audra? Cole wants to have dinner with me, just the two of us, at the best restaurant in the city."
I nodded to show I had heard.
She looked at the circle of spoils by her bed and said, "I only helped him a little, and he went all out, sending so many things. He must care about me."
I continued to nod. "Yes, Lily. You must be special to him."
Lily was very happy, admiring the flowers Cole had sent.
I left the ward, quietly closing the door.
This was the happiness Lily wanted anyway.
Two months later, I heard in the hospital that Lauri was in critical condition.
Her liver had failed, and medication was no longer effective. A liver transplant was urgently needed.