Fear needs a future you’re trying to protect, and I understood, lying there, that the future they had built for me was a grave.

What rose up in its place was colder and steadier and far more useful.

“The power of attorney will be ready Friday,” Emiliano said.

“As long as you’re legally alive, I can take the shares.

Then we sign the medical authorization, and it’s finished.” Ximena laughed.

“Mom’s already looking at cheap funeral homes.” They left hand in hand.