Free A Time to Die by Lurlene McDaniel

about his—” she searched for a word, “—his cool attitude. My problem is, I love you both. I didn’t want to see either of you get hurt.”
    “Too late,” Kara told her.
    Christy sighed and took Kara’s hand. “Will you forgive me?”
    Kara saw tears in Christy’s eyes and realized she could never hold anything against her. Christy was the closest thing to a sister she would ever have. “Sure,” Kara said. “I’m not mad at you. Eric has to make his own decisions.”
    “I love you,” Christy said.
    “I love you, too,” Kara repeated, her voice thick with emotion.
    Christy looked relieved, and her face brightened. “Listen. How about if I check with Dr. McGee and see if it’s okay for you to go outside tomorrow?”
    “Could you?” Through her window, Kara saw the gray November sky and the tops of trees. One of the best things about the hospital was its beautiful wooded property and footpaths. Often, patientswere allowed to go outside accompanied by a nurse or a health care worker.
    “I’ll get a wheelchair and take you on a grand tour. You’ll have to bundle up.”
    “No problem. Mom’s brought half my wardrobe.”
    They laughed, but then Christy’s expression grew serious again. “It’s so good to have you back with us. You’re a real fighter, and I knew you wouldn’t give up. I would give anything if I could do something for you, Kara—if I could take away your CF forever.”
    “I’ve got another chance,” Kara said. “It’s what I wanted. And as long as I get it, I’m going to take it.”
        That evening, Vince came to see Kara. “I’ve missed you,” he said, and kissed her forehead. “Do you know how scared I was?”
    Delighted by his show of affection, Kara gave him a radiant smile. “I fooled them,” she said, pulling away and looking up into Vince’s dark eyes. “They didn’t think I could get on top of this one, but I did.”
    “You look wonderful.”
    She made a face. “Don’t lie to me, even out of kindness. I know how I look.” She settled back onto her pillows, still holding his hand. “Speaking of looking good … You look super.”
    He gave a self-conscious shuffle. “This is the best autumn I’ve ever had with my CF. No new infections and a hardy appetite. For once, the enzymepills are doing their thing. I’ve gained some weight.”
    “It’s more than that. You look—” she fished for a word,—“bigger.”
    “I’ve got a secret.” He glanced about conspiratorially, even though they were alone in the room. “I’ve been lifting weights in the gym after school.”
    “I had no idea.”
    “Well, it’s no big deal. I didn’t know if my lungs could handle it, but the more I build myself up, the better I do. The doctor says it’s fine for me to continue.”
    “Maybe I should try.”
    He laughed. “You couldn’t even lift a dumbbell right now.”
    “Could, too.” She gave him a sidelong glance. “I lifted
you
up, didn’t I? In spirit, of course.”
    His dark eyes twinkled. “Yes, you did. I’m so high now, I feel like I’m flying.”
    “Thanks for all the cards,” she said. “Fifteen! I’m touched.”
    He bowed stiffly from the waist. “You’re more than worth it. Did you get any others—you know from kids at school?”
    “Elyse.”
    “And?”
    She knew what he was fishing for, and trying not to sound dejected, she said, “No, Eric didn’t send me anything.
    “I didn’t mean him.”
    She stared at him keenly. “Yes, you did. It’s notimportant, okay? I would have been more shocked if he had sent me one.”
    “He’s an idiot.”
    “No,” she corrected. “He’s not sick. You can’t expect him to understand our world.”
    “Don’t make excuses for him,” Vince argued.
    She held up her hand. “Stop. I don’t want to talk about him.” She smiled and squeezed Vince’s hand. “Let’s change the subject. I want to think of some dastardly prank to play on the nurses. Like the time we were hospitalized at the