Prologue

PROLOGUE

DECLAN

Mom was always sick. She had been in and out of the hospital since Mickey was born. It was skin cancer. It went away. Soon after, it came back; it began a cycle of remission and return that took a toll on her. My normally happy mother was often sick and crying. I did my best as the oldest to make her happy, but most days, I failed. There was a three-year remission while I was in high school, where everything seemed to be back to normal. It wasn’t. She just got better at hiding it. When she died, I had August to help me through it. When her own mother died, I was there for her just like she was for me. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her. Nothing. She is my rock. I love her more than I ever thought it was possible to love someone. I met her at thirteen, and I’ve never so much as looked at another woman. She is my first and last everything.

THREE MONTHS AGO

Dad is an idiot, I think, for the hundredth time today. He called me again to remind me about Bobby’s birthday party tonight as if I didn’t know my own brother’s birthday. Last night, he gathered my two brothers and me for dinner at my mother’s favorite restaurant. We haven’t been since before she got sick the second time. He asked for our opinions on him asking Sarah, his girlfriend of two years, to marry him. What could we possibly say to that? No, Dad. Don’t be happy… Mom’s barely cold in her grave, alright. It’s been four years, and I’m a grown man, but still. I just bought August an engagement ring last week and was planning to propose soon, but I’ll wait now. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.

Speaking of August, I met her at a time in my life when I didn’t know my head from my ass. My mother had me join a support group for the families of cancer patients. Our entire family joined. I was instantly in love with her. I was born to worship her; I know that now. That feeling, despite the bleakness of the support group, changed me. It changed my life forever.

Instead of going to college, I opened my own construction company. I knew more schooling wouldn’t be for me. I had many absences helping my mom, and I barely survived. Because of that, I decided I needed a trade. Every summer since eighth grade, I worked for another company in Boston. I learned everything they taught me and applied it to my own company. It’s still fledgling, but I’ve finally started to make some money. August put herself through college and dreams of being a teacher. I’d do anything to make that happen for her.

Now that our mothers are gone, we have both been lost. Together, we’ll make it through.