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PROLOGUE

Three weeks ago

She always looks so sad

Kendrick watched the pale, blonde woman tenderly wipe the soup froh she smiled, her eyes told a different story With infinite patience, she et the older man to eat an entire bowl of soup

"That onderful, Dad You finished the whole bowl! Before you know it, you'll be harassing Ethel down at the Duck In," she teased

"Neverto move on with your life? You can't babysit an old rumbled

"Don't be silly; I love spending time with you" She rose and walked into the kitchen Kendrick heard her putting the dishes in the dishwasher, and after a fewa stack of books

"Do you want me to turn your shows on?"

"That'd be nice"

She picked up the remote and switched the television on They sat in silence as he watched his shows and she studied from her books

During a commercial break, Kendrick noticed that, at so his shows and atching the beautiful woman

"You should have gone to college,man, and had babies of your own by now," he said quietly

She looked up, a surprised expression on her face "I couldn't just leave you to take care of Mae" She held up her nursing textbook

"You'll beone class at a time like you are Sometimes, I wish I would hurry up and join my Lucy in heaven so you won't be tied to this house anymore"

The young woman flew off the sofa and dropped to her knees next to the old man's recliner With tears in her eyes, she laid her head on his leg "Don't say that! Don't leave me alone, Daddy; you're all I have"

The old narled hand over her soft blonde curls "You're stronger than you think My tioodbye, I want you to smile for me I want you to be happy"

She shook her head "I'"

"Yes, you are You've sacrificed socare of first your mother and then one, sell everything--the house, the land, everything Keep a few keepsakes, like your o to the best nursing school in the country, don't let anything tie you down"