His eyes sharpened.
“Was someone with you?”
He hesitated.
Then one tap.
My skin prickled.
“
The reports said you were alone.”
His hand shifted beneath the blanket.
His fingers trembled with frustration.
“Paper,” he whispered.
I looked around.
The nurse was still reading, though I could not tell whether she was listening.
I reached into my purse and found a receipt and a pen.
I placed the paper beneath Ethan’s hand.
His fingers could barely close around the pen.
The first line he drew was nothing more than a faint scratch.
He tried again.
A letter appeared.
M.
Then another.
A.
His hand slipped.
I steadied the paper.
He continued.
MARA.
I stared at the name.
“Who is Mara?”
The monitor changed rhythm.
Ethan’s eyes widened.
Behind me, the nurse stood.
“Mrs. Thornton, I’m afraid he needs rest.”
I folded the receipt into my palm before turning.
