“Did you sign any legal forms, Dad?” Alvin asked softly, thinking of the note about the power of attorney.

Manuel hesitated, and shame crossed his face.

“Yes,” he admitted.

“Last winter, when I had that bad bout of pneumonia.

I was in bed, feverish, barely able to sit up.

Veronica brought a folder of papers and told me they were medical release forms and utility authorizations.

She pointed to the lines, and I signed.

I was too sick to read them.” Alvin closed his eyes and steadied his breathing.