It had been three days and Tom was disheveled and incoherent. He smelled, too. Doctors and nurses came and went; they told him things, but that was all they were – things. He didn’t have a clue anymore. On the third day, Doctor Mehta had mercy on him and told Tom that he should eat, shower, and rest. She emphasized the shower part. She also prescribed some sleeping pills to help overcome the anxiety that was keeping him up. He didn’t intend on leaving Tiffany’s bedside. He told Doctor Mehta as much. She suggested that he at least use one of the hospital’s shower rooms and get something to eat. Tom took the hint.

When he returned from the cafeteria, freshly bathed, but still dragging, they had removed Tiffany’s breathing tube and she was awake, although, just barely. Tom r...

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