ark f

, li

ght, just... a

ting near

was s

self. On

. Too

the bed. His small hand

he whi

the door. Her arms were c

peak. No sou

o move. I

wat

or, his small face

pa won't

was a ti

was sick, Mam

r didn

ulian is bad, Ma

sten to him, Eleanor! F

just air.

ly spoke. Her

your head with

s him, not to the

ts attention. He taught you to l

Leo's arm,

a good man.

away from the b

chest used to be, ac

leanor

ave the room. She di

m

om her grip, his s

! Papa ne

owards the front do

pening it, her ca

Leo. I have

epped

op step of the stoop,

ell,

all

at her car do

d no concern,

ing, Leo.

her car and

or tried to. I passed

m. He was crying, his kn

was utterl

, my po

me back. A rush

Eleanor's ch

e. His years of drinking a

a match. A rare match

she'd begged, her eyes wide,

t friend. I ca

ak in a hospital bed, but h

be a sport. Eleano

he doctors. Th

une hepatitis... this surgery

ng," one had sa

ways exaggerate. You're strong, Marcus

sure. Re

as selfish i

't love her if

I loved Leo.

agr

e hospital. The fear, c

e surge

eling like I

t her eyes were for Ju

rlem home to "rest" whi

he'd said, a quick

sn't

worse. I coul

r her. She

.. th

his floating, w

lian had pulled the s

his small face streak

o the brownstone,

bed, looking a

understand

the blanket up

ice thick with tears. "Mama

it. My brave

ide the bed, his small

d there

th him, a silent,

to set. The

didn't c

rumbled. He

t me, then

e hardened h

tood

said to my body. "I'

the bedroom, out

cold dread coi

st seven

walking, th

rds Eleanor's office

ttle boy, an im

streets, then into

ed past, not noticing th

ed. He stu

could feel his pain, a phan

kept

r

y brave,

ather, could