Late in the morning a nurse told them Violet was awake enough for a short visit.

Nora entered slowly as if the room might disappear if she moved too quickly.

Violet lay against white pillows, a monitor beside her bed, a stuffed fox tucked under one arm.

“You look weird,” Nora whispered.

“So do you,” Violet answered faintly.

Nora laughed once and began to cry again.