Page 171 of True Blue

Like Indie and me.

I keep singing, letting the song speak for me. That I can’t let her go. That I love her so much. That I miss her. That I know I don’t deserve the chance I’m asking for, but God, if she ever gives me one, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving I know what it’s worth.

Indie’s voice softens, then fades, but I keep singing, lowering my voice until it’s nothing but a murmur when I hear her breathing even out. I close my eyes, allowing myself a few minutes to listen to her soft, sleepy noises, her even breaths, realizing how much I miss hearing that.

The raccoon chitters again, bringing me back to the task at hand.

Knowing I need to say goodbye and get this problem taken care of, that I can’t take more than I’m given from Indie, I gently whisper to her.

“Goodnight, honey. Sweet dreams.”

32

INDIE

NOVEMBER

Did you know a baby capybara was born at the zoo?

Isend the text to Teddy while I’m up at the front desk, charting. It’s close to the end of my shift, and it’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so it’s been quite hectic.

One of my residents is using my private office—which is still insane to say—to break the news about a diagnosis. Not the best news to go into the holiday with, but also kind of good timing since they’ll be surrounded by family and friends this weekend.

My phone buzzes with a text from Teddy, making me smile.

Teddy

And what exactly is a capybara?

I take a screenshot of the mama-and-baby capybara picture posted on social media from Cape May Zoo and send it to him. It’s only a minute later that I receive his response.

Teddy

Now THAT is a rodent of unusual size.

Not even able to help it, and not trying that hard to stop it, I laugh—maybe a little too loud.

“Boyfriend?”

The voice from my left startles me, and I turn to see Mimi standing there, one arm leaning against the desk, a smirk on her lips, and perfectly arched eyebrows wiggling suggestively.

I blink. “What?”

“I know that giggle,” she says, wagging a finger at me. “You’re giggling the giggle of women in love. Are you talking to your boyfriend?”

“Uh, no,” I chuckle awkwardly, feeling my cheeks color. “He’s my… friend.”

“A friend that you’re in love with,” Mimi snickers.

“I…” My denial dies in my throat at the look on Mimi’s face. “Yes. He’s my ex-boyfriend. But he… it’s complicated…”

“Ooh, a story,” Mimi leans forward on the desk.

I snort. “A very long, very twisted story.”

“Now that’s my kind of story.”

Mimi’s eyes light up in excitement before one of the other doctors calls her name. Disappointment passes across her face before her eyes narrow, and she points one finger at me.