A/N: See how quick this update was? I even impressed myself.

Chapter Four

I didn't like most of the wedding planning stuff, but I was a big fan of cake testing. Even Caroline's obsessive nit picking wasn't as bad because it gave me an excuse to try even more cake.

"The cake is the glue that holds the entire wedding together," Caroline said stoutly. "If it's wrong, well, then your entire wedding is wrong. It's paramount that we get this right, Sookie."

"I couldn't agree more," I said through a mouthful of chocolate-hazelnut cake.

"So, you keep tasting until you find one that is correct beyond any doubt."

"Oh, don't you worry. I will do exactly that. I mean, you're right. The cake is super important."

Gran watched me carefully as I shoveled another forkful of cake into my mouth. She came closer and quietly said, "You already know what one you're picking, don't you?"

I made sure Caroline was out of ear shot and admitted, "I knew about four samples ago."

Gran smirked. "Sookie, don't you think this is just a trifle dishonest?"

"Gran, I can't turn down free cake," I said sensibly. "Besides, wouldn't I not be doing my due diligence if I didn't try all the samples?"

"Whatever you say," Gran said indulgently. "Hm, that German Chocolate looks like it wasn't given a fair chance. Pass the fork, dear?"

I grinned. "Now, that's the spirit!"

"What do you think so far?" Caroline asked, coming to join us again.

"I really like the lemon chiffon," I said slowly. I paused for effect and then added, "But, I'm not convinced it's the one."

"Then you keep tasting," Caroline told me. "I think we have a few more chocolate ones coming up."

I nodded and watched her walk off to check the progress of the other cake. A moment later someone appeared with a tray of new slices, each one looking more decadent than the last. My eyes widened and I murmured, "I love getting married."


When I was done with all the cake testing - two glorious hours of cake - I popped over to the local Walmart to pick up some sandals. I wanted another pair of neutral ones for my summer dresses as I'd just about worn out my other pair. I saw a pair of strappy red ones that caught my attention and impulsively threw them into my cart. They were on sale, after all, and it was practically blasphemy to pass up a good shoe sale.

Walmart was busy and I got into one of the shorter checkout lines. I recognized the blonde ponytail in front and me and said, "Pam?"

She turned around and I was surprised by how run down she looked. Her face was drawn, eyes bloodshot and watery.

"Hi Sookie," she said. "How are you?"

Better than you apparently, I thought.

"Fine, just a lot of wedding planning," I said.

She smiled softly. "I remember all of that. It takes a lot out of you, and not just money."

I laughed. "It's challenging some days, but we're getting along fine. Anyway, how are things with you?"

"A bit hectic," Pam admitted. "Lily's sick with an ear infection. She hasn't been slept in days, meaning neither have Dan and I."

"That's awful," I said. I was a big fan of sleep and turned into a raging you-know-what without it. "Is she at least on the mend?"

"I hope" Pan said, yawning. "I really miss sleeping."

I smirked. "I can imagine."

"But, we're fine," she said, plastering on a bright smile. The smile read off against the milky pallor of her skin. "Eric told me he ran into you at the park last week."

"Yeah," I said, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. "I was there with my cousin's little boy Hunter."

Pam nodded. "Eric mentioned that. He said he was a really sweet boy."

I smiled and said, "He really is."

"It's nice," Pam said, moving as the line shifted forward. "That you two are talking, I mean. He'll never admit it, but he's really missed you."

"It is nice," I said carefully.

"I know what you two had is in the past," Pam said quickly, sensing my discomfort. "But he could really use a friend now."

Something in her voice piqued my interest and I asked, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," she said quickly. "He's fine. We're all fine. It's just, like I said, he missed you. So, I'm glad you guys are in each other's lives again."

That was a strange way to put it, but she was right. It seemed we were in each other's lives again.

The sales person rung up Pam's items and then Pam ran her card through the machine. She put her wallet back in her purse and said, "It was really nice seeing you, Sookie."

"You too. I hope Lily gets better soon so you can get some sleep."

She smiled a bit. "Oh, me too. I'll see you around."


I had an early evening shift at Merlotte's, and I floated around the bar serving the early dinner crowd. Eric was among them and I told him, "You know, only people over the age of 60 should eat dinner this early."

He grinned. "I happen to be hungry this early."

"My God, when do you eat lunch?"

He laughed. "At a normal time. Besides, I have a phone call at 6:30 that I have to take."

"A phone call," I repeated. "You need to eat this early because of a phone call?"

"It's important," he said with a shrug.

I knew it was none of my business, but I couldn't help asking, "What's it for?"

"Just some business thing," Eric said evasively. "Anyway, I'll have a burger and fries. Everything on the burger."

"To drink?"

"Just water."

I nodded, scribbling it all down on my notepad. "Alrighty, that'll be right up."

I walked over to the kitchen and put in Eric's order. I checked on tables, put in a few more orders, and then I brought his food over. He had his laptop out again like last time, but I was happy to see there was no similar iced tea casualty. His water was untouched, but also not splattered on the floor. He closed his laptop when he saw me coming and pushed it to the other side of the table.

"You know, you might be the only person in this town who actually uses our WiFi," I told him, setting his food down on the table.

"Well, then aren't you glad I'm here?"

I laughed. "Sure. Hey, I ran into Pam at Walmart today."

"You did?" he asked, picking up a Fry and biting off the end. "And what did my sister have to say?"

"Not much," I said with a shrug. "I heard about Lily."

Eric nodded, popping the rest of the fry into his mouth. "It's a nasty ear infection. She should be turning the corner soon, though. She's had it all week."

"I sure hope so," I returned. "Anyway, you enjoy your meal."

"Can you bring me the check now?" he asked. "I need to leave a little earlier than I thought."

"Yeah, sure. I'll bring it right over."


Eric ate quickly and then dashed out of Merlotte's. I went to clean his table and noticed that there was a pad of paper that had fallen underneath his chair. I crouched down at picked it up, curiosity getting the best of me as I flipped through a few pages. There were a bunch of names and phone numbers written down in Eric's cramped handwriting. I didn't recognize any of them, but quickly told myself that it wasn't any of my concern. I settled on bringing it to Eric after work and that was that.

I kept myself pretty busy for the rest of my shift, but near the end Merlotte's slowed down and I found myself on our computer in the back Google-ing a few of the names. I knew I was probably doing something that I shouldn't. This was none of my business, but I couldn't help myself. It was more than curiosity driving me, although I couldn't exactly pinpoint the character of that other something. The first name was an oncologist in Houston. I thought nothing of it until the second, third, and fourth were also oncologists but in different cities.

I thought of what Pam said earlier about Eric really needing a friend and my stomach dropped. I rose quickly from the chair, clicking out of the search page, and I grabbed my coat and keys. I still had a few more minutes left in my shift but I left anyway, going straight to my car and driving out to Eric's parents' house where I'd gathered he'd been staying for the past few weeks. It was a short drive but if felt like forever. Could it be true? Could Eric be sick? It was too awful of a thought to even think about. But it would explain his coming back and his sudden desire for making amends. It would explain a lot of things.

I parked in front of the Northman residence and climbed out of my car. I took a moment beside it to gather myself. There was no reason to jump to conclusions. There were probably lots of explanations for those names. Maybe it was a research project for his work. He did say he had a business call. Or it could be for a friend.

I walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell. Mrs. Northman opened the door and she smiled wide when she saw me, immediately stepping forward and enveloping me in a hug.

"Sookie, it is so good to see you," she said.

"You too, Mrs. Northman."

"Are you here for Eric?" she asked, bringing me back to six years ago when I would show up at her doorstep and she'd ask me exactly that. Just like six years ago, I nodded my head and said, "Yes, I am."

"Well, come on in. I'll get him for you." Before she left the foyer she asked me, "Do you want a glass of iced tea? I just made some cookies this afternoon. Do you want one?"

I shook my head. "No, thank you.'

"Alright then. I'll just go get Eric."

She walked off into the next room and I glanced around the foyer, feeling like a sixteen year old all over again. Their house had barely changed. Eric and Pam's high school photos were still hanging alongside the staircase, although now there was Pam's wedding photo and what I assumed was Eric's college graduation photo. Even the smell of the house was the same, warm vanilla with a touch of cinnamon. I heard movement to my side and turned around to see Eric standing there. His mom came up behind him but he didn't notice, his gaze intent on the notepad in my hand.

"Eric, do you think I could talk to you for a minute?" I asked steadily.

He nodded, mouth set in a hard line. "Sure, Sookie. Why don't we go out back on the patio. It's such a nice night."

I followed him through the house and then out the back door. I saw they'd updated the patio with new furniture and a small fire pit off to the side for s'mores. I closed the door and Eric gestured for me to follow him to one of the more private areas.

"You left this at Merlotte's," I said, handing the notepad over.

"Thanks," he said. "I was going to stop in tomorrow morning and see if I'd left it there."

I nodded, glancing to the side. After a moment I returned my gaze to him and asked, "Eric, why do you have a bunch of doctors' names and numbers in there?"

"It's nothing," he said dismissively.

"Really? Because I don't think it's nothing. People don't go and gather that information for no reason."

"Sookie, just let it go," he said pleadingly. "Please. Just...this is none of your concern."

"None of my concern?" I said, shaking my head. I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, looking down at the ground. It was hard to admit that it was my concern because that implied that I cared. But that was the truth, wasn't it? Ever since our talk at the gas station things had shifted between us. I no longer hated him. I didn't excuse his behavior, but I didn't hold it against him anymore, either. Somewhere between then and now I'd begun to care again.

"Eric," I said softly, looking at him again. I was almost afraid to ask what was on my mind, but I had no choice. I had to know the truth. "Are you sick?"

His eyes widened and he went, "No! No, I'm not sick. I'm not...it's not me."

"It's not you?" I said. "Then who is it?"

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Pam."

Suddenly, it all made sense. Pam's drawn face at Walmart. Her saying that Eric needed a friend. All of it made perfect sense and hurt in a way that I'd never known something could hurt.

"Cancer?" I guessed, thinking of all the oncologists I had found in that notepad.

Eric nodded. "Stage four metastatic melanoma."

I didn't know what that meant, but it sounded bad. Eric solidified my fears when he said, "She only has three to four months left."

"Oh, Eric," I murmured, stepping forward and laying me hand on his arm more out of instinct than anything else. "Have you gotten a second opinion?"

"Yeah, I convinced her to come out to New Orleans and see a doctor out there. He only reaffirmed the first diagnosis. But I've been doing research and finding these doctors who are pioneering new treatments."

"That sounds promising," I said, hoping I was right.

"I thought so, too," he said, the tone of his voice telling me this story wouldn't have a happy ending. "But Pam refuses to see anyone. I even set up an appointment in Houston, but she refuses to go."

"Why?" I said, not understanding. "I mean, if there's any hope she could get better why wouldn't she take it? I know I would."

"It's Lily," Eric said, suddenly sounding drained. I led him over to the table and chairs over in the center of the patio and we sat down. "Pam doesn't want her last months with Lily to be filled with tests and doctor's appointments. She says she doesn't want Lily to remember her that way."

"But there's a chance she could get better, isn't there?" I said.

"It's not enough for Pam," Eric answered. "She wants certainty, which no one can give her right now."

I shook my head, thinking to myself how awful it must be for Pam and her family. She was so young, and she was dying. I could hardly wrap my head around that.

"You can't tell anyone about this," Eric said suddenly. "Pam...she doesn't want people to know. You know her, she doesn't like to be seen as weak."

I smiled sadly, remembering Pam and her strength from when we were growing up. She always acted like my protector, keeping the bullies from me at recess. She seemed unbreakable, then.

"I won't tell anyone," I said. "Your secret is safe with me."

A/N: See, I told you it would all be crystal clear from this one. Hope you enjoyed the minor twist (as unhappy of a twist as it may be). Feedback would be great!