There were follow-up concerns to monitor, but no indication at that appointment of permanent loss of sight.

Hailey wanted to know whether she would still be able to draw.

“You can,” the doctor said, “as soon as you’re comfortable and we’re satisfied the area is healing properly.”

My daughter smiled for the first time in nearly two days.

On the drive back, Hailey asked whether we could stop for a coloring book.

Rachel drove, and I sat beside Hailey in the back seat.

She picked a book full of gardens, animals, and a particularly ridiculous-looking giraffe.