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talked to the radiologist. Harry knows every doctor in town, and if anyone would get personal attention it would be the wife of a cardiologist who worked in this town for twenty-five years. So what did the radiologist tell you?”
    She shrugged. “He just showed me the lump, that’s all. There it was, smiling at us, right from the X ray. It was really very creepy.”
    Cathy knew from her own experience with breast lumps that the doctor could tell a great deal from the mammogram. Cancer had specific shapes and characteristics…She knew he would have an opinion.
    But Sylvia stuck to her story.
    â€œHe just set me up for a biopsy and that was it. Now who wants a piece of pie? I’d like to say I made it myself, but I just went by Kroger and picked it up. My sweet tooth was really acting up, and I figured I’d lost enough weight that I could stand to stuff a few calories into me. I also bought some red meat so I could start getting the iron back into my blood. I cooked myself filet mignon for dinner.”
    Cathy looked from Tory to Brenda. They each had volumes written on their faces.
    â€œNothing for me, thanks,” Tory said.
    â€œMe, either.” Cathy swallowed.
    â€œHave you told Harry?” Brenda’s question mirrored Cathy’s thoughts.
    Sylvia groaned. “I wish I could hold him off until I’ve gotten the biopsy back. But I guess there’s no chance of that, because he knows I went to the doctor today. I really, really hate to make him worry.”
    â€œHe’s a doctor,” Cathy said. “He can take it.”
    â€œTrust me. He’s not that objective when it’s his own family. I’ll never forget when Sarah’s appendix ruptured. You would have thought it was his fault somehow, that he should have seen it and prevented it. He hovered over her in the hospital for days, worried sick.”
    Sylvia got up and hurried to get the pie. “It looks good, girls. Sure you don’t want some?” she called from the kitchen.
    Cathy looked at Brenda, saw the worry in her eyes.
    Tory’s hand came up to her heart, and she sent a stricken look to both of them.
    Sylvia fluttered back into the room with four slices. “You don’t have to eat it. But one bite and you’ll be a goner.”
    She took a bite and closed her eyes. “Mmm. This is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth,” she said. “You girls don’t know what you’re missing. Cathy, come on and get a piece. Oh, I’ve missed American food.”
    Cathy took a piece, just to make Sylvia feel better, but as she ate, she couldn’t help watching Sylvia and wondering what burden she hid behind her smile, refusing to share with them.

C HAPTER
    Six

    It was eight when they finished praying together. Brenda walked out with Tory and Cathy, and all three seemed lost in thought as they crossed Sylvia’s yard.
    â€œShe’s keeping something from us,” Cathy said. “I’m afraid the radiologist gave her some bad news.”
    Brenda locked her eyes on Cathy’s face. “Would he really have been able to tell anything?”
    â€œHe could tell by the shape of the mass whether it looks like cancer. It’s not one hundred percent accurate, of course, and in some cases it’s nothing more than a guess, but it’s an educated guess, and I know he told her something.”
    Brenda looked toward Sylvia’s house, wondering if her friend sat in there, struggling with the fear and anxiety that she refused to share with them. “Why wouldn’t she tell us?”
    â€œBecause she’s Sylvia,” Tory said. “She would think more of us than herself, and she wouldn’t want to worry us.”
    Brenda felt helpless. “Wouldn’t you think she’d need to talk?”
    â€œSure she does,” Cathy said. “But she’s not going to. Not if it gets us upset.”
    â€œWell, I hope she tells