These Tangled Vines

by Julianne MacLean

Another corridor brought them to a back door that opened onto a patio beneath a green arbor. Covered in thick, tangled vines, it was a cozy space with tiny white lights strung overhead. A long dinner table beneath a floral tablecloth held countless platters of food,

“Oh. What was wrong?” “Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.” “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful. Are you okay now?” “Yes, I’m a lucky survivor,