"Family of David Reed?"
Marcus shot to his feet. "I'm his brother."
"The surgery went well. We've stabilized the internal bleeding and repaired the damage to his spine." The doctor's expression was cautiously optimistic. "He's not out of danger yet, but his chances are good."
The relief that flooded through Marcus was visible. His whole body sagged.
"Can I see him?"
"He's in recovery. You can see him briefly, but he won't be awake for several hours."
Marcus looked at me. "Come with me?"
We followed the doctor to recovery, where David lay pale and still, hooked up to more machines than I could count. He looked so young. Just twenty-three, his whole life ahead of him.
A life he'd almost lost to a stupid, preventable mistake.
Marcus took his brother's hand, and I saw his shoulders sh
