I sat beside Jonah, my foot gently resting under his arm. I didn’t want to disturb him, but I had to touch him. I had to feel his skin against my own. He slept, if that’s what it’s called when you’re in a coma. I sat between him and the fire. Its light illuminated the pages of my mom’s journal. Everyone else was in bed, though I wondered how they were able to sleep.
With Pops gone, Nonie now slept with Quinn and East in what once had been the nursery. Quinn hadn’t left Nonie’s side since Pops had passed. She was so young, yet very wise. She knew Nonie had lost more than any of the rest of us today. She spent her day doing what she could to help her grandmother.
Sara and Blaise slept in our room.
My father was asleep in the boys’ room. He was alone.
Josh and Eli slept in the barn, guard
