The doctors were evaluating ordinary causes as well as anything the tests might reveal.

His symptoms had not arrived with a label identifying their source.

I had watched him get quieter as adults discussed his body around him.

Victor said Noah needed calm.

I agreed.

Then calm became a reason to avoid questions Victor didn’t like, and I couldn’t always tell when one had turned into the other.

The next morning, Noah pushed the tray away with two fingers.

“I don’t want that one.”