He removes a few of the wires and the tube. Tati coughs, and it’s the first time I actually believe any of it is real. It’s the first time I’ve allowed myself to believe she could be okay.
Then, Tati lifts her hand. Hello.
Tears spring to my eyes, and I have to force them back down as I lift my hand and stroke my niece’s blonde hair.
Still, questions nag. So, I send for Courtney.
When she walks in, her finger is twisted in a strand of her black hair, and compared to the bright light in the room and Tati’s pale face, Courtney’s skin looks like an even richer shade of tan than normal. She’s beautiful, and I have to push those thoughts away to focus on what matters.
“What were you doing in here?” I demand.
Courtney looks down at the floor. “I just … I wanted to know what was back here.
