Nothing dramatic, just exhaustion and the discovery that healing rarely moves in a straight line.

I had begun working part-time at the library again, but some afternoons I came home too tired to read a page.

Tobias noticed during our weekly dinner.

“You’ve been pushing yourself,” he said.

“I have a very demanding doctor in the family.”

He shook his head.

“Your actual doctor has the right to give you orders.

I’m just asking whether you need help.”