Если я останусь

           Thiskindofthinghappensallthetime,andithadnothingtodowithyou.Wecaughtitandfixeditandthat’swhatmatters."

           "Butshewasdoingbetter,"Adamwhispers.Hesoundssoyoungandvulnerable,likeTeddyusedtosoundwhenhegotthestomachflu."AndthenIcameinandshealmostdied."Hisvoicechokesintoasob.Thesoundofitwakesmeuplikeabucketoficewaterdroppeddownmyshirt.Adamthinksthathedidthistome?No!That’sbeyondabsurd.He’ssowrong.

           "AndIalmoststayedinPuertoRicotomarryafatSOB,"thenursesnaps."ButIdi’int.AndIhaveadifferentlifenow.Almostdon’tmatter.Yougottodealwiththesituationathand.Andshe’sstillhere."Shewhipstheprivacycurtainaroundmybed."Inyougo,"shetellsAdam.

           Iforcemyheadupandmyeyesopen.Adam.God,eveninthisstate,heisbeautiful.Hiseyesaredippingwithfatigue.He’ssproutingstubble,enoughofitthatifweweretomakeout,itwouldmakemychinraw.HeiswearinghistypicalbanduniformofaT-shirt,skinnypeggedpants,andConverse,withGramps’splaidscarfdrapedoverhisshoulders.

           Whenhefirstseesme,heblanches,likeI’msomehideousCreaturefromtheBlackLagoon.Idolookprettybad,hookedbackuptotheventilatorandadozenothertubes,thedressingfrommylatestsurgeryseepingblood.Butafteramoment,Adamexhalesloudlyandthenhe’sjustAdamagain.Hesearchesaround,likehe’sdroppedsomethingandthenfindswhathe’slookingfor:myhand.

           "Jesus,Mia,yourhandsarefreezing."