I Woke After 11 Days and Found My 9-Year-Old Grandson Asleep Beside My Hospital Bed—Then He Whispered, “Pretend You’re Still in a Coma”

“What?”

“You’re allowed to leave.”

His eyes filled.

I continued.

“You leaving for college is not abandoning me.”

“I know.”

“Your father going to work did not abandon you.”

“I know.”