“You want to commit a felony.”
He considered this.
“A misdemeanor, probably.”
Eli’s mouth twitched.
It was the first time I saw him almost smile.
By morning, Ryan had changed tactics.
The first voicemail was furious.
The second was wounded.
The third was legalistic.
By the fourth, he sounded like a man reading from a script he believed made him sympathetic.
Claire, I understand emotions ran high. I think we both said things we don’t mean. For Lily’s sake, we need to present a united front. I’ll come by this afternoon so we can discuss discharge plans privately. Please don’t let outsiders influence our family.
Outsiders.
Eli, who had kept me from delivering alone.
Dana, who had protected my room.
Maribel, who had asked questions no one else had.
Daniel, who had driven through snow without knowing whether I was safe.
Anyone who witnessed Ryan clearly became an outsider.
