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”

“Go wash your hair tonight.

You smell like the hospital.”

The door opened.

Closed.

Footsteps retreated.

I opened my eyes.

Walter was curled into the chair.

Face buried against his knees.