“Are you going out in the dark alone?” Brooklyn asked, clutching the pencil box against her pink sweater.

“Yes, sweetie,” Kevin said, dropping down on one knee so he was at eye level with her.

“Your mom needs to stay right here near Rosalie, and I need you to stay with her and be her big helper.”

Brooklyn looked over at the wide pullout mattress with its thin white hospital sheets and flat pillow.

“Is the hallway going to stay dark all night?” she asked.

“Nurse Elena keeps the lamps on at the main desk,” I said, resting my hand on Brooklyn’s knee.