“How’s our patient feeling?” Dr.

Collins asked, looking over the top of his glasses at Grace.

“My stomach doesn’t hurt when I take a deep breath anymore,” Grace said in her soft, hesitant voice, pulling her sweatshirt sleeves down over her thumbs.

Dr.

Collins smiled, resting one hand on the edge of the blue binder.

“That’s because the mass is gone, Grace.

Dr.

Ramirez filed her final surgical report half an hour ago.