, My face froze as Ernest tapped Susie's forehead lightly and joked,

"What are you, the census bureau?

", Susie pouted at him,

"Just making conversation.

", I turned to Ernest,

"All checks are done. Why don't you take her out for a bite? I need to check on something.

",

"What's there to see, Licia?

" Susie was ever curious., Ernest knew exactly what I meant and started to lead her away, teasing,

"You weren't this chatty back home. What's got into you here?

"

"I'm afraid I won't get another chance to talk,

" Susie's words silenced Ernest and broke through my defenses., It dawned on me that Susie was also scared of not making it off the operating table.,

"Nonsense,

" Ernest gently patted her head., As Susie linked arms with her brother, they walked off into the distance until they were out of sight. That's when I sought out Herschel.,

"Felicia, back again?

" Jacqueline's voice caught my attention.,

"I'm worried about Herschel,

" I confessed., I had told Susie earlier that they were like foster parents to me because, in my heart, that's exactly what they were.,

"It's nothing serious,

" Herschel's voice was weak, hardly convincing.,

"If you consider me a daughter at all, don't lie to me. What's going on?

" My voice quivered as I spoke.,

"Just high blood pressure and some chest discomfort,

" Dustin chimed in., Jacqueline nodded in agreement,

"Yeah, sneaking drinks at weddings these past few days did him in.

" Despite Jacqueline's reassurance, I still felt uneasy and glanced at Dustin for the real story.,

"I'll step outside to make a call. Mom and Dad, you wait here for the check-up,

" Dustin excused himself.

"I'll go grab us some water,

" I said, following him out., Dustin was waiting for me outside,

"Let's sit at the café for a bit. Mom's here.

", In the café, I pressed,

"What's really wrong with Herschel?

",

"He's been coughing a lot lately. Last week's tests suggested it might, small cell lung cance, hit me like a ton of, , I fell silent for a long moment before managing to ask,

"Is it confirmed?

",

"Pretty much,

" Dustin's voice was barely a whisper., We both sat in silence until I gathered the courage to ask,

"What did the doctor say? Is there a good treatment plan?

",

"We need more tests to see if it's spread before deciding on a treatment plan,

" Dustin sipped his coffee.,

"Does Jacqueline know?

" I inquired further., Dustin shook his head,

"Just told, it's an, She, lammation in the lungs., e can't keep secrets well, and we, don't want to worry Dad more.

", ,

"What about Conrad? He should know, right?

" I looked at Dustin for answers.,

"We'll tell him once it's confirmed,

" Dustin planned, and I couldn't argue. After all, I was still an outsider.,

"Felicia,

", to shiftstin looked at me, trying, to shift the topic to something less, heavy,

"My leaving the con, nothing to do with me.

" , At that moment, the issue seemed trivial and unimportant., had, I remained silent, and Dustin gave a forced chuckle,

"Seems like you still don't trust me.

",

"That's because she trusts no one,

" a voice interjected, and Jimmy pulled up a chair, uninvited but unmistakably present., I glanced at Jimmy, who appeared out of nowhere, with a mix of annoyance and headache., Jimmy flashed a mischievous grin,

"Felicia, you sure know how to play the field. How many are you juggling at once?

", Classic Jimmy, never one to mince words., Dustin's expression darkened,

"And you are?

",

"Oh, me? I'm her loyal pup. The kind she pinned down and got to know on a very personal level the first time we met... Ouch!

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