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I talked Sean into resting before ignoring my own advice and going to sit with Josh. The others called in throughout the morning. Each time, they sat awhile and spoke quietly about the past week. I stayed without a break, chatting to Josh when alone with him—inane stuff we’d normally talk about, as well as stuff we wouldn’t.
I talked about playing ball, about food, about Christmas, about food, about Poppy, and asked him a few questions I knew he couldn’t answer even if awake. Didn’t matter that some of the subjects I brought up were personal. Josh and I often found time for private chats—nothing untoward or conspiratorial—just us, just friends, just chatting.
After a few hours, I promoted myself from slouching in the chair to lying on the bed. My fast-evaporating energy’d had enough
