That night, I was doing my report when my cell phone rang and I answered, "Hello."

"Hi, it's Al," said Al.

"Hi, what's going on?" I asked.

"Nothing much," said Al. "I just want to talk to you about something."

"What's up?" I asked.

"Most of us are coming down, but I won't be," said Al.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah, a family emergency," said Al as he told me the reason.

"That's too bad," I said.

"How's Kayla?" asked Al, who knew she was sick.

"She's still fighting for her life," I said.

"That's good," said Al.

"I know," I said. "Dawn and I are moving to Maine this summer. My dad was getting transferred there."

"I wish I could come down before seeing you both for the last time, but I just want to give myself some time," said Al.

"I totally understand," I said. "Luckily, I'll be going to Mexico for my class trip for two weeks before that."

"That's a good thing," said Al.

"I know. I didn't want to move. This is my home all my life," I said. "Kayla is the number one reason I didn't want to leave."

"I'm sure," said Al.

"I was supportive. I would still take her place if she's too sick to help Kaylee watch her siblings," I said.

"Good," said Al.

"I want to come back for college," I said. "Plus. I'll be taking my driving lessons, so I'll drive myself to Maine. I don't have a Maine license unless I do it for that state, too."

"That makes sense," said Al.

"Mexico takes place right after school lets out for the summer," I said. "I like it there. I went there for our road trip."

We had a nice long talk. I think he felt better talking to me about his cousin. I finished my report on Mom two hours later. I had to write a lot about. All out of this, her greatest achievement is two things: marriage to Dad and gave birth to me.

The next day, I said, "Al called me last night."

"He did?" asked Mallory.

"Yes, I was surprised to hear from him. He told me about his cousin's death," I said.

"Wow," said Mallory.

"He felt good about it," I said.

"That is a good thing. He was probably glad that he was able to talk to someone who is going through the same thing," said Mallory.

"I think so, too. Michelle was like that to me when I lost Kayla because she lost her best friend of the same illness before we met," I said.

"I remember," said Mallory.

"Don't tell anyone Al called me. I want to tell them myself," I said.

"I won't," promised Mallory.

"He asked me about Kayla, too," I replied.

"Good," said Mallory.