“You’ll be back on the court in four weeks,” Dr.

Ramirez said.

“I’ll personally make sure of it.”

Grace smiled, a real, quiet change around her lips that I hadn’t seen in weeks, and looked across the room at me.

“Mom is staying with you the whole time,” I said, holding her gaze.

Dr.

Ramirez took a clipboard off the wall hook and handed me the pre-op instructions.

“No solid food after midnight tomorrow, and only clear liquids until six on Thursday,” Dr.