I blink at Eileen, trying to process what she’s just said. Eileen shifts her weight, letting go of my face as she takes a small step back. Her eyes briefly flick off into the trees before landing back on me. Something is off. I don’t know what it is yet, but Eileen is not acting on her own here…

Eileen takes in a deep breath, clearly having prepared a bit of a speech herself. “Lily, I think you are wonderful. You are funny and caring, and so full of life. But that life ...