After Heart Surgery, I Woke Up to Learn My Three Children Had Gone Home Because Hospital Parking Was Too Expensive. I Lay There in Tears Until a Well-Dressed Stranger Entered,

wouldn’t,” I said. “They wouldn’t do that.” Without contradicting me, Malcolm held my gaze with the same gentle brown eyes I recalled from the cafeteria.

“I hoped I was wrong,” he said.

“They’re my children.”

“I know.”

“They love me.”

“I’m sure,” Malcolm said quietly, “they would say they do.” His careful answer terrified me.

Chapter Four: The Highlighted Sentence
Rain began beating against the window. I glanced from my children’s three empty chairs to Malcolm’s folder.

“Why are you telling me this now?” I asked. “Today? Of all days?”