His mouth moved in something like a smile.
“Thirty-five years, and I still forgot marriage doesn’t work that way.”
I pressed my fist against my lips.
Randall inhaled with difficulty. “If she takes the trip, tell her she doesn’t owe me anything on it.”
Wade’s recorded voice said, “You want me to tell her about the ticket?”
“If she recovers.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
Randall’s eyes opened.
“Then burn everything.”
My entire body went cold.
The recording Wade hesitated. “Everything?”
“The letters. Videos. Ticket. All of it.”
“What about your ashes?”
Randall was silent.
I looked at Wade.
He did not look back.
Onscreen, Randall’s eyes filled.
“If she lives,” he whispered, “ask her.”
Wade’s recorded voice cracked. “Ask her what?”
Randall turned his head toward the window.
Whether he was gathering strength or avoiding the camera, I could not tell.
“If she wants me with her.”
