For the first time since I had known him, Isabelle’s father looked afraid.

That night, I returned to Maya’s room and found her awake, staring at the ceiling.

Before going upstairs, I stood in the hospital chapel.

I was not sure why.

I had never found much comfort in rooms where people were expected to know what to pray for.

But it was empty and quiet, and nobody would ask me a question I could not answer.

There was a box of tissues by the door and a ledger where visitors could write names.