PTE

-

ing, Lira woke

. Same careful handwriting on a small note

eady called to offer help with anything she needed. There was no classroom to prepa

ntethered.

ng over the sink did not need groceries. She made a list. She would co

s near Vance Tower. The market she knew. The one where the veget

. Her father's favorite. She would make th

sked about Antonio. Lira said he was doing better.

held the door. The elevator attendant pressed the button

mells she remembered from childhood. She set the ta

d Kael. First tim

table. Come ho

wa

steps paused at the dining room. Sh

At the two plates. At the foo

He lifted the

odded his thanks. He did no

his plate to the sink. He was

her. She lo

you," h

no

study. She we

-

ng, coffee was

new

ken was

l laugh. The first

-

ng, she found hi

coffee in hand. He looked surprised to see h

rning,"

morn

re food than before. He had gon

st," she said. "Egg

hen he sat down

d. She put a plate in

good,"

kno

witched. Al

-

, Lira visite

olor was better. His breathing less labored. T

ow was he? Was he kind

er's hospital and listened to his stories. She told him Kael a

eal smile. The kind sh

you," An

not corr

-

ld Kael about her

d if you

His face wa

d you te

t you listened to his storie

not an

kno

or a long moment.

od man," he said. "I

The doctors say the t

oo

now. Not the strained

ain," Kael said. "Woul

u want to visit

. It is polite to

knew it was not politenes

she said.

nod

-

isit was diffe

a chair instead of the bed. He s

coming back,"

ou for h

when Kael asked about his patents. They talked for an

ad a son-in-law who listened. Who asked

home, Kae

his day,"

ade m

s staring out the car wi

me like that," he said. "

ot know w

hat," he said. "Talked to the

seat. She touched his h

not pul

-

, she coul

way his jaw relaxed for just a second. The

walked to the ki

tting at the cou

sleep eithe

t besi

ut your moth

you want

ng. Eve

ut her cooking. The same recipes Lira used now. About the w

out the last conversation. Her mother telling her t

. How she did not cry. How she

not interrupt. He di

he said, "You wer

es

have been al

n the dark, his face

n you found your father. You sh

ent for a

finally. "Maybe