Isabel
"Mommy, do I have to get another test today?" Hazel's small voice floated up from the backseat. She sounded tired, and the slight rasp in her tone made my chest tighten.
I glanced at her through the rearview mirror, trying to keep my voice cheerful even though I was dreading what the day might bring. "Just one, sweetie. Dr. Monroe wants to make sure everything's okay."
Hazel huffed heavily, and dramatically clutched her stuffed giraffe a little tighter. "I don't like tests. They're boring."
I smiled wryly though her words pulled at my heart. "I know, baby, but boring is better than scary, right?"
She said nothing, only turned her head out the window, her little hand falling to stroke the giraffe's fuzzy neck.
The only sound was the soft humming of the fish tank in the corner o
