I can’t help it; I start to cry. I close my eyes, bow my head, and just let it go, because when he fully comes to I’ll have to be strong enough for both of us. This will be the last time I can allow myself to break down.
From now on, I’m going to have to be the strongest one in the family.
It’s several minutes before I calm myself. I swallow, sniffling, and reach for a tissue from the box on the little table beside A.J.’s bed.
And freeze when I hear a slightly garbled but still understandable, “Drama queen.”
With a cry of shock, I straighten. A.J.’s eyes are closed, but he’s smiling a drowsy, happy smile. He lifts the hand I’m not holding an inch off the bedcovers, and makes a motion with his forefinger. He’s pointing at something across the room. The television? The little dresser?
“
