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Harper helped Lucille to her feet and as she took her hands, they began to dance, slow and easy

Malow as she looked around the candlelit roo out the door, catching a plane, or sulking in her rooether as she’d always hoped they would be She said a prayer of thanks for this ether for this special night

They played the song again and switched partners, dancing once more to the heavy beat Nate wouldn’t dance with anyone except Dora, so this time Carson danced with Harper Ma back and forth, huasped and bent over in pain

Everyone froze

Maht as she fired off orders "Carson! Help et her to the sofa Dora, her pills are in lass of water"

The girls sprang to action Withinon the sofa with Mamaw’s arm still around her shoulder Carson, Dora, and Harper clustered around them, unsure and anxious Nate sat quietly on the blanket

"This isn’t the flu" Carson looked to Mamaw for confirmation

Mamaw shook her head "It’s not for me to say" She looked to Lucille

There was a silence in the roo wind outside the s Lucille slowly brought her eyes up to look at Carson Then she turned to look at Harper and Dora The pain had subsided soripped her abdomen, her face appeared serene

"Now don’t look so worried," Lucille said, her voice weak "What’s happening is as natural as the wind blowing outside those s I’m sick, is all"

"What kind of sick?" Dora asked

Lucille sighed with resignation "Cancer"

There was a shocked silence, then Carson went to her knees and laid her head on Lucille’s lap "Oh, Lucille"

"What kind of cancer?" Harper wanted to know

The girls all ju of follow-up questions, suggestions, and recoo to for treat her hands up "I’ve gone through all this with your grandain Ithenity"

"I kno hard it is to accept," Mairls "But Lucille’s made her decision It’s up to us now to make sure she’s as comfortable as possible"

"Now I hate to break up the party," Lucille said, "but I’irl," she said to Carson "Help an old woman up"

Mamaw and Carson each took an arrunted softly and grirasped each other’s hand for support

"Take her to my room," Mamaw said

"What? No, no I want to lie in my own bed," Lucille said

"Later, when the storm subsides For now, just rest awhile in my bed"

Despite Lucille’s co four-poster bed Dora and Harper fluffed up pillows behind her