“Grandma,” Santiago whispered — the first word, and it undid her.

Magdalena dropped her yarn and was at his side in an instant.

“Santiago!” Aurelio woke with a start.

The boy smiled, faint and real.

“Am I still here?” “You’re going to be here a very long time,” Aurelio said, and did not try to hide that he was weeping.

“You’ve put this old man through more than enough.” Santiago’s eyes found a photograph propped on the table beside the bed — Joaquín, in his work clothes, smiling.

“Did he —?” “He gave you part of his liver,” Aurelio said.