Patel asked about his support at home.

He turned toward me rather than answering for both of us.

“I haven’t been a very good patient,” he said.

“We’re learning,” I replied.

“Both of us.

PART 7

That evening I found Sadie at the dining table creating a paper crown for a stuffed elephant.

She had been eight for three months, but her birthday invitations were still pinned to the refrigerator.