“I did, sweetheart.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Mama, I didn’t want our good days to be spent crying. I just wanted you to keep hoping a little longer.”

I took her hand. “Carol, listen to me. We don’t hide things from each other anymore. Whatever comes, we face it together. No more brave little secrets. Deal?”

She nodded against my shoulder. “Deal.”

Her friends stood awkwardly by the wall, unsure whether to leave. I looked at them and shook my head. “Don’t you dare go anywhere. My daughter is at prom.” Then I held out my hand. “Carol, will you dance with your mother?”

She laughed through her tears and took my hand. We swayed in the middle of that tiny hospital room while her friends clapped softly and Daryl wiped his eyes. For that moment, we didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. We only knew we had tonight.