A Thousand Tomorrows by Karen Kingsbury

Author:Karen Kingsbury
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 1599954028
Publisher: Center Street
Published: 2007-01-01T22:00:00+00:00

The doctor went through a few other pieces of advice and warnings, how important it was for her to stay inside and stay off her horse during the break, that sort of thing.

When the meeting was finished, Ali thanked the doctor. But she didn't say another word on the journey home. Her parents sat up front, with her in back. It was a seventy-mile trip to the hospital from the ranch, a trip she and her parents had made far too often. Ali kept her eyes on the road. She needed to be moved up the registry list; then everything would work out.

130 KAREN KINGSBURY

Her mother turned around. "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing."

For a little while, her mother was quiet, watching her. Then she reached back and put her hand alongside Ali's face. "God has a plan. He always has a plan."

Ali nodded and turned back to the window. She wasn't sure what to say. If there was a plan in her having CF, she didn't see it. After a while she looked at her mother. "I wonder if Anna's riding horses in heaven. You know, since her plan didn't include riding them here on earth." The sarcasm felt strange and bitter on her tongue, but her parents seemed to miss it.

"Well..." Her father adjusted his grip on the steering wheel and sighed, the type of tired old sigh that seemed to come from way down in his dusty boots. "I reckon she's riding the prettiest horse of all."

She glanced at her father in the rearview mirror. "How's the cattle work going, Daddy?"

He looked at her, his eyes dull, lifeless. "Cody, you mean?"

"Yes, sir. Is he working out?"

"He's a polite boy, hard worker." He stroked his chin, thoughtful in his appraisal. "I like him." His eyes caught hers and he managed a smile. "So long as you don't."

"He's my friend." She looked in the rearview mirror and grinned at her mother. "Right, Mama?"

Her mother looked slightly exasperated. She raised an eyebrow. "I have my doubts." She paused

131 a Thousand Wmorrows

and her tone grew more serious. "You haven't told him, have you, Ali?"

"Told him what?" She wished her father would go faster; she wanted to get home and let Cody know the good news. No hospital stay for now.

Her father glanced back at her. "You haven't told him the truth about your health." He hesitated. "You're very sick, Ali. He doesn't know that."

"He knows." She kept her tone light. "I told him I have cystic fibrosis."

"But he doesn't know you could.., you could be gone in a year, right?" Pain filled her mother's

words. She didn't say them easily.

"Anyone could die in a year."

Ali's answer was quick, but her parents were right. Cody had no idea how sick she was, and she owed him the truth. They were quiet for a while, her parents letting the weight of their concern set in. As her father turned right onto their winding driveway, she let out a sharp breath. "Fine. I'll tell him."

"I just don't want him surprised.

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