They Borrowed My Surgery Fund To Leave Me Behind novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Behind the Door

Through the gap in the door I could see Wyatt's back and half of Ezra's face.

Ezra had put on a pleasant expression, and I knew now how much that cost him.

"You look tired," Ezra said.

"Redeye." Wyatt sat down without being asked. "I'm sorry to drop in. Something came up with the family."

"The family."

"Mara's. Her aunt in Dayton called Tripp last night." Wyatt rubbed his eyes with two fingers. "She's very private. She doesn't want an obituary, or photos, or any press on the memorial. She asked us to keep it quiet."

I did not have an aunt in Dayton.

I did not have an aunt anywhere.

I held my phone against my chest with the recording light glowing, and I did not breathe.

"That's understandable," Ezra said.

"We feel terrible. Tripp especially. He hasn't slept."

"I'm sure."

"He still talks about her last words."

"Tell me," Ezra said.

Wyatt smiled sadly.

"It was at the hospital in March. He was holding her hand. She looked at him and said, tell them to build it."

I felt the room shift under my feet.

I had never said that.

I had never been in a hospital bed in March. I had been in a diner in an apron, working a double.

"That's beautiful," Ezra said, in a voice so level I wanted to scream.

"Isn't it? It's the whole reason Halyard exists."

Wyatt leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee.

"Look, I won't waste your time. I came for two reasons. One, the second tranche was due yesterday and it hasn't landed."

"My partners put it in review."

"Review for what? The Mara Fund has some legal costs, and the foundation account is short."

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