David said no.
I said no.
Ethan said:
“Maybe.”
Lily said:
“Absolutely not.”
Decision made.
Her story.
Her consent mattered most.
Ethan accepted that.
That was another lesson.
Good intentions do not give you publicity rights over someone else’s illness.
Matthew Kellerman visited the hospital months later for an unrelated foundation meeting.
He asked the Monroes whether he could say hello.
They said yes.
He
met Lily for ten minutes.
No check presentation.
No photographer.
He asked:
“What are you into besides being sick?”
Lily laughed.
“Thank you.”
Apparently everybody else asked about cancer first.
She loved astronomy.
Digital art.
Bad horror movies.
Matthew knew almost nothing about any of those.
Good.
Conversation became normal.
Before leaving, he met Ethan too.
“So you’re the hair guy.”
Ethan groaned.
“Please don’t call me that.”
Matthew smiled.
“Understood.”
Then:
“You did a kind thing.”
Ethan looked embarrassed.
“Thanks.”
“And one thing you were too young to manage
