𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 | 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞

Chapter 25

Millie

My phone rings a couple hours after Finn leaves. I fumble for it thinking it's either him or Aunt Lily (who is still blowing up my phone), but see a number I don't recognize. I almost put the phone back down, but something makes me answer it. "Hello?"

"Millie?"

I recognize the voice instantly. I jump up out of bed.

"Mary. What's wrong? Are you okay? Is it Finn?"

She chuckles and it sounds like a sicker, more feminine version of Finn. It makes me sad and smile at the same time.

"No, no. Nothing's wrong. Unless you count the fact that I'm dying."

My heart stops. Words completely lost. How do I reply to that?

"Not today, though. Today I want you to do a favor for me."

My breathing picks back up again. "Absolutely. Anything."

Happiness sprouts inside me. I'm honored she would come to me and I don't even know what she wants. The woman has only met me once, yet when Finn is obviously unavailable, she comes to me.

"I want to get a tattoo."

I stumble. That wasn't what I expected at all. "Umm...okay?"

Another laugh and it may sound ridiculous, but I already miss Mary. I can't imagine being Finn and knowing I'm going to lose her. It was different with my mom and I still can't get over it. We weren't close and she forgot about me more than she thought about me, but your parent is always your parent. Finn has this loving, awesome woman as his mom and he's watching her wither away.

"I know it sounds crazy...especially given all the trouble I've given Finnie over them. Our biggest argument we ever had was when he came home with his first tattoo at seventeen."

I sit on the bed, hoping she'll tell me the story.

"Thinks he's big and tough that one, but he knew I would be pissed. That's why he got it on his back. Tried to hide it. He may think he's good at lot of things, but getting something by me isn't one of them. I know my son and I knew the minute he came home that he'd done something he knew I wouldn't like."

What happened?" I find myself asking.

"Well at first I didn't know what it was, but I could tell he was nervous. He may think he is, but he's not a good liar. I spent the evening watching him and I noticed him flinch when he leaned against the back of the couch. Don't tell him I told you, but he's not real good with pain either."

I laugh, thinking of a younger Finn trying to hide a tattoo from Mary. "How did you figure it out?"

"Walked right over to him, made him stand and pulled his shirt up, of course."

This makes me laugh harder. Soon Mary joins in, but then starts to cough. I can tell she's out of breath.

"Are you okay?"

She sighs. "Okay as I'll ever be. Millie...I want to do this. I feel the need to do it and I don't want to wait."

Two things hit me. First, if she doesn't want to wait, she doesn't think she has much time. My chest feels empty at the thought and my eyes begin to sting.

And second. Finn doesn't approve. That's why she's coming to me. There's no other reason that makes sense.

"Mary..."

"Please. Do you know how it feels to be a grown woman and have to beg for help for something like this? I want it. I need it and Finn is stubborn. I think..." her voice cracks and I think she might be crying.