“If you pull out another envelope, I’m throwing it at you.”
For the first time in weeks, he laughed.
“No envelope.”
He reached into his pocket.
A small audio recorder.
PART 31
Mark had recorded messages.
One for Lily’s first birthday.
One for her first day of school.
One for when she turned sixteen.
One for graduation.
And one labeled:
FOR EMILY WHEN SHE IS ANGRY WITH ME.
I stared at it.
“That one might be useful now.”
Dr. Hayes smiled sadly.
“I thought so.”
PART 32
That night, after Lily slept, I listened.
Mark’s voice filled the room.
Em,
If Hayes gave you this one, you know.
And you are probably furious.
You should be.
I should have told you sooner.
I kept telling myself I needed one more test, one more answer, one more
day.
Then there were no days left.
I am sorry.
PART 33
I pressed the recorder against my chest.
