PART 1 — The Message Beside My Hospital Coffee

The nurse had just tightened the last strap on my knee brace when my phone lit up with a voicemail from my mother.

Elena checked the buckle again and pressed two fingers beneath it.

“Too tight?”

“No. Leave it.”

She lowered the bed rail halfway.

“Then you are officially cleared to complain about hospital coffee.”

“I already paid three dollars and twenty-five cents for it.”

Elena smiled.

“That is enough to make anyone recover faster.”

I reached for the paper cup on the rolling table.

Before I could lift it, the phone lit up again.

The message was from Megan.

I played it with the volume low.

“Claire, please call Mom or Dad.

They said you are going to make this difficult, and I really need you not to.

The venue deposit is already committed.

Please don’t ruin the wedding.”