She could keep Bunny beside her, use a soft night-light, and come find Lena if I needed to rest.

I tried to return quickly to doing everything for her.

My body reminded me that recovery was not an act of willpower.

Some mornings I needed to lie down after breakfast.

Some afternoons reading aloud for twenty minutes left me exhausted.

Instead of hiding my fatigue, I explained it in words she could understand.

“My brain is healing.

Rest helps.”