I got to the hospital at half past two.
The afternoon shift nurse, a quiet woman named Grace who had learned my face in the first week, looked up when I walked in and gave me the small nod that meant nothing alarming had happened since morning. I breathed through that relief the way I always did, quickly and privately, because I had learned not to exhale too fully until I was actually in the room and could see him with my own eyes.
Room 204.
I pushed the door open.
Eli was awake but he wasn't sitting up the way he usually was when I arrived. He was lying flat with Captain the bear on his chest and his eyes were open but heavy and when he saw me the smile that came was smaller than his usual one.
My heart dropped quietly.
"Hey baby," I said, keeping my voice warm. I crossed to him and
