MY PARENTS WALKED AWAY FROM ME AT THE HOSPITAL WHEN I WAS 13 — MY MOTHER WENT PALE WHEN THE DEAN CALLED MY NAME

physical,” she would remind me. “Your heart needs care, too.”

When I turned eighteen and received the five-year all-clear from Dr. Patterson—meaning I was officially in remission with only a minimal risk of relapse—Rachel took me to our favorite restaurant to celebrate.

While we shared pasta and breadsticks, she placed a small box on the table.

“I know continue reading …