eters

and the antiseptic smell of disinfectant. My fir

flat.

eeper than any physi

in. He had changed out of his scrubs and looked tired, but h

. "The surgery was a success.

one question I needed to ask was lodged i

orry," he said, his voice heavy with a genuine sorrow that Harrison could

e moment I saw the blood. But hearing the wo

he window at the gray, indifferent sky. I felt nothing. It was a

d suffocating. Dr. Lin poured me a glass of wa

s pa

lights began to blur th

purchased from the hospital gift shop. His face was a perf

reaching for my hand. "Ava, honey, how are you?

ne. He hadn't gotten the message. One of the nurses, ignoring my request, had called him as

to miss mine. It was the first time in six y

aced the flowers on the nightstand and continued his performance. "I'm so sorry, Av

nge sense of detachment. It was almost funny. He was

rely angry. He softened his voice, using the pla

s going to be alright. W

ave anoth

t's just a clump of cells.* A replacement co

side me fina

The love was gone. The hurt was gone. All

t it cut through the a

t o

et, accommodating Ava he knew didn't exist anymore. He thought this was just

don't be like this. I know you're upse

y oblivious. He thought he had just lost a "clump of