Cole sat.
“You planning something?”
“No.”
“You always plan something.”
She looked toward him.
“I need another promise.”
Cole immediately said:
“No.”
Ellie frowned.
“You don’t know what it is.”
“Exactly.”
She smiled weakly.
“After I’m gone…”
Cole stood.
“No.”
“Doc.”
“No.”
Rachel turned toward the window.
Mark stared at the floor.
Ellie continued.
“You have to use the bike.”
Cole shook his head.
“No.”
“For other kids.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s yours.”
“It’s not.”
“It was built for you.”
Ellie’s voice remained soft.
“That’s selfish.”
Cole stared.
She continued:
“You built a whole motorcycle thing just for one kid?”
“Technically yes.”
“Bad business.”
Mark laughed involuntarily through tears.
Cole glared at him.
Ellie smiled.
“I want other kids to ride.”
Cole sat again.
His eyes burned.
“Your doctors approved you.”
“Then doctors approve them too.”
“You think that’s easy?”
“No.”
“That’s why you do it.”
Cole looked at Rachel.
She was crying.
Ellie held out her hand.
Cole took it.
“Promise.”
The word had once terrified him.
Then controlled him.
Then taught him.
He looked toward the child.
“I promise I’ll try.”
Ellie frowned.
“Good answer.”
She had learned him too well.
A week later, she made a recording.
Not because anyone told her to.
Because she wanted to.
Mark helped.
Cole did not know.
In the video Ellie wore a purple shirt and looked exhausted but determined.
“Hi, Doc.”
She smiled.
“If you’re watching this, either I died or Dad finally figured out how to send a video.”
Mark’s muffled protest came from behind the camera.
Ellie laughed.
Then became serious.
“I know you’re gonna be sad.”
“You’re always sad when you think nobody sees.”
Cole later paused the video there because the accusation was rude.
Then started again.
“You told me grief becomes furniture.”
“So I’m furniture now.”
“Please don’t make me an ugly couch.”
Cole laughed through tears when he first heard it.
Ellie continued:
“I had a really good life.”
“Not long.”
“But good.”
“I had Mama and Dad.”
“I had my doctors.”
“I had Mr. Bumblebee.”
“I had Uncle Bear.”
“I rode a Harley.”