The people taking care of you have instructions.

You will not have to see him.”

“What if Mom brings him?”

“Then the staff will stop him.

You are safe here.”

She breathed out, and I realized she had been holding that breath since I arrived.

I pulled a chair beside the bed, opened the battered notebook I used for grocery lists, and wrote down her favorite breakfast.

Pancakes, strawberries, not too much syrup.