Reed said, her voice softening into a warm, quiet rhythm.

“My name’s Evelyn.

Can I take a quick look at you?”

Benji was huddled in the middle of the bench seat with my black wool coat draped over his small shoulders like a tent.

He held the worn green tail of his stuffed dinosaur to his cheek, his teeth still chattering in quick, uneven bursts.

“Grandma?” he whispered, his eyes flicking past the doctor to find my face in the rain.

“I’m right here, Benji,” I said, leaning in through the open door.