Valerie Came Home From Deployment to Find Her Twelve-Year-Old Daughter in Intensive Care

“A detective faxed it to the hospital at four.

There’s a copy in the social work file and a copy going to Dr.

Ortega.” I held it steady at chest height.

“You told me an oncoming truck ran you off the road.”

“I told you what I believed.”

“You told me you were driving.”

“Valerie.”

“Say her name.