My father slept uninterrupted for the rest of the night.
I lay awake on the unmade couch bed, watching him from across the room like a babysitter would hover over a small child. As different nurses came into the room periodically, checking to see if I needed anything, and on occasion, to wake my dad to change his sleeping positions, I slipped out of the room to check on Liam in the family lounge. He told me he had to leave and drive back to his apartment. I told him not to worry, and that I’d text him soon.
I thanked him again for coming out tonight. “Any time,” he said. “I’m a phone call—or text—away.” He was more handsome when he smiled. The way his mouth curved into a lopsided grin comforted me. Before he boarded the elevator, he wrapped an arm around me and kissed my cheek. “Call me
