Love Always, Kate Read Online Free PDF Page B

life before cancer,” Damian said, taking a bite of his turnip and sand potatoes.
    I tilted my head and eyed his spoonful.
    He laughed. “I’m immune. Besides, I like sand.”
    “Well, during remissions, my dad and I would go to the country club and golf a lot. I don’t think I’d mind joining the LPGA. My dad says I’m pretty good,” I said, tipping my head up. “I really wanna make the varsity golf team at school this spring.”
    “Ugh. Country club brat, huh? You probably do everything your parents say, don’t you?”
    I forced a smile. After all they’d done for me, it was the least I could do. “Your dad’s a doctor; I’m sure you’ve swung a club or two in your day.”
    Damian grunted. “Cliché.”
    I raised my eyebrows at him and smirked. Damian licked his lips slyly, shook his head, and gave in. “Private golf lessons. Every summer. Since I was seven.”
    “I knew it!” I sat up.
    Damian laughed. “I haven’t set foot on a golf course in over two years.”
    “Why not?”
    He shrugged. “I never played with my dad. It was sorta me and my brother’s thing. And now…” Damian eyes clouded over, and his voice softened as if he just realized what he’d said. “Well, I don’t play anymore.”
    Damian’s head lowered, and he took a bite of his corn. I averted my eyes , embarrassed about bringing his brother to his attention.
    “Maybe we can play together sometime?” I said, wondering if it would be enough of a topic change.
    “I dunno. You’d probably kick my ass.” He shifted his weight in his seat. Then he cleared his throat. “God, I need a cigarette. Uh, I’ll be right back.” He almost tipped over his chair as he stood and hurried out of the cafeteria.
    I felt stupid as I watched him go. Alone, I plopped my elbow on the table and picked at the food. I ate a few bites then put the fork down.
    Part of me wondered if he would come back. I’d hit a nerve, a memory of Liam. “ He’s not strong like you, Kate .” What a great first date. Was that what this was? No. I pushed the ridiculous notion from my mind. A guy sitting next to me in the chemo room and afterward meeting in the hospital cafeteria hardly counted as a date.
    I ran my fingers through my hair, mulling it over. When I looked at my hand, it was full of auburn strands. I stared at it. Why did I do that? The hair was soft and beautiful, but it wasn’t supposed to be intertwined in my fingers. What would Damian think of me with nothing but skin on the top of my head? “ I saw the way he looks at you .” Would he look at me like all the kids at school? Feel sorry for me? Avoid me? I wouldn’t blame him if he did.
    T ime passed at warp speed. I didn’t remember him sitting back down as I was still staring at my hair-covered hand.“It starts happening that quickly, huh?” Damian’s voice was soft.
    For a few moments, he didn’t say anything, and I didn’t look up. All I could think of was why I hadn’t tossed the hair away. Now, not only had he seen me balding, he’d also seen my insecurity.
    I lifted my eyes to him, nodded, untangled the hair out of my hand and wadded it up.
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “Some people do wigs, don’t they?”
    “Yeah. I don’t. They itch,” I said, dismissing how much it really bothered me. “It’s just hair. It’ll grow back. It always does.”
    “But you still have to deal with it falling out all the time until it’s gone. That’s just a reminder of what’s happening.”
    Did he really just say that?
    “Side-effect of chemo.” I shrugged, hoping he hadn’t heard the crack in my voice.
    I wanted to tuck my hair behind my ear, but I worried that another clump would fall out. Instead, I picked up my water and gulped it down.
    Damian’s phone rang—an old Journey song, something my dad listened to. He grabbed it then touched the screen. He tensed and shoved the iPhone back in his pocket.
    “If you have to go…”
    “No. It’s just the old man. He can wait.”