“Is it a clean break?” I asked.

“No,” Dr.

Aris said.

“It’s a severe displaced fracture of the humerus.

The upper piece shifted almost two inches out of alignment.”

I rested my thumb lightly on the inside of my wrist and felt the steady, rapid tap of my pulse under the skin.

“What’s the surgical plan?” I asked.

“We need to operate at eleven o’clock,” Dr.