He set the cup on the sill and came over to the side of the bed, watching the doctor peel back the thick white tape.

The cold air hit the raw line across my skin, and a sharp pulling ache spread right through my lower abdomen.

I rubbed the warm skin an inch above the bandage before I could stop myself.

“Everything looks clean,” Dr.

Vance said, pressing two fingers gently around the edges of the incision.

“How does it feel when you take a deep breath?”

“It stings,” I said.