207 Finding a Way Forward

(Winona)

The hospital cafeteria is a far cry from a trendy café, but the coffee is good and, actually, the breakfast offerings look okay too. I sit at a small table by a window waiting to see if Cass turns up.

Cass needs to be the driving force behind how we go about saying goodbye to Mom.

Hopefully she’s ready to see me. I don’t blame her for being so angry and lashing out yesterday.

Cass should be here any minute if she’s decided to come. I’ll wait a little, of course. Jayden’s with Ashlyn, talking to the doctors about the next steps for them all in regard to the baby.

I want to be with him, but Cass needs me too, and right now, I need to focus on her. Then I’ll go talk to Jayden.

The door to the cafeteria swings open, and I see Cass walk in, her shoulders hunched, her face pale and drawn. I let out a sigh of relief, she’s here.

I wave to her, and she spots me, hesitating for a moment before she makes her way to the table. She slides into the chair across from me, not meeting my eye