Liya turned to face her friend, Shawn. What was there to say, that she hadn’t been able to pay attention and enjoy the movie because instead of focusing on Ben Stiller’s latest antics, she was too preoccupied thinking and worrying about her boss? Neither Shawn nor his girlfriend Tasha, another longtime friend, would understand. While they both supported her decision to postpone attending university for two years, neither understood how painful it was to leave a family member alone in the hands of the medical system. If they didn’t understand something as delicate as her need to remain at her brother’s side, then chances were they’d be completely blindsided by her desire for Aidan. “I’m all right.” Liya shrugged. “I know it’s not Christmas yet but I guess I’m just already over the holiday season. It’s so played out. I can’t really see much to be cheerful about this year.” Shawn playfully bumped his shoulder against her. “C’mon. I could have sworn Tasha said you were excited about going on some kind of camping trip up at Bear Ridge.”
