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”

The pain.

Then I turned my head.

And saw Walter.

My grandson was curled into a vinyl chair beside the bed.

Nine years old.

Knees against his chest.

Backpack on the floor.

His cheek rested against a rolled-up jacket.