There's a wooden chair beside the bed and a little light coming through a window. Dust coats the floor, leaving imprints of my feet as I cross the distance and sit. Wilson opens one eye and smiles, but I can tell he's doing it for me alone. Sweat coats his forehead, and his frame is shrunken. He's not the bull I imagined him as, but there's strength in his steady gaze yet.
His other eye opens and he says, "It's you."
"It's me."
I take his hand. His fingers are thin and cold, but they wrap around my own and fill me with peace.
"I could stay with you, you know," Wilson suggests. "I could go to Kansas, too. Just in case."
I shake my head and squeeze his hand tighter. "I have to do this on my own."
He turns his face away. "You don't need me anymore."
Tears prick my eyes. "I'll always need you, Wilson," I whisper. "But I need to face my memories and the things I've done. I need to let people in." I clear my throat. "It's time I talk about what happened after my father left."
"Will you remember me?" he asks, turning back.
My heart aches at the hopefulness in his voice. "I could never forget you." I laugh softly. "You know, there was a time when I couldn't even think your name."
Wilson pulls himself up in bed. A grin parts his mouth. "You were terrified of me."
"I was terrified of remembering."
"But then you started to let me in," he says, his eyes dancing. "You finally realized I only wanted to help."
"That's right."
"I still think you should have eaten the orange sherbet at that ice cream shop."
"No, Cookies and Cream was the right choice."
Wilson shivers like what I said is repulsive.
I pull the sheet higher over Wilson's frame, fighting the emotion building in my chest. "I don't want to leave."
"Then don't," he whispers.
I cover my eyes, and a sob breaks in my throat. "You know I have to."
Wilson sighs and leans back on his pillow, releasing my hand. "I know, Domino. It's just … who will protect you now? Cain? Angie?"
"I don't need anyone to protect me anymore."
"So … Cain?"
I laugh through my tears. "Yeah, Cain."
Wilson nods, satisfied.
I stand from the chair and stride toward the door, because if I don't leave now, right now, then I'm afraid I never will. My hand is on the knob when Wilson's voice reaches me.
"Hey, Domino?"
I stop.
"You think maybe I'll go on to someone else now? Instead of just … ending?"
I turn partway, speaking over my shoulder. "I think anything is possible." And then, because I'm losing my courage, I say one last thing to my friend. "Thank you, Wilson. For everything."
I walk out the door, and sunlight warms my face. I stare into that reviving light for several moments before my eyes open again. When they do, and I find myself half asleep on the train, I know Wilson is gone for good.
But Cain is there, sleeping beside me. And Poppet is leaning against Angie, who is watching over us all. These people are my home now, and I will cherish them all my life.
And what a life it will be.