He handled the paper as though it were something fragile.

For the first time I noticed that his hands, the hands he trusted with surgery, were trembling.

“Do you think she’d speak to me?” he asked.

“I think she’s curious.

I also think she should have a chance to talk to a counselor first.

And you should be prepared for questions that don’t have answers she likes.”

“I will.”

I looked at him carefully.