Never In Another Life novel · Chapter 23 of 24

Chapter 23: Sunday Visiting Hour

Kira's POV

My mother's eyes were the color of old coins, and they found my face on the second try.

That was Tuesday.

The doctors called it a flicker and told me not to hope.

I hoped anyway.

By Sunday she was squeezing my hand on command.

Once for yes.

Twice for no.

She could not speak around the tube, but she could glare.

She glared at the cheap flowers Declan brought, and at the nurse who called her "sweetie," and at me when I cried.

I laughed so hard at that last one that the nurse looked in.

"She's better," I told her, wiping my eyes. "She's definitely better."

The family visit started at two.

It was the first Sunday visiting hour I had spent on this side of the door.

Sammy came in first, carrying a drawing in both hands.

Declan came behind him with a paper bag, and a look on his face.

"What's in the bag?" I asked.

"Contraband."

"Declan."

"Butterscotch. She used to hide it in her purse, you told me. At your wedding. She gave me one under the table."

My mother's eyes went to the bag, and her hand twitched on the sheet.

Once.

Yes.

"She can't have it," I said. "It's a ventilator."

"I know."

Declan sat down on the far side of the bed.

He set one candy on the tray table where she could see it.

"She can have the idea of it," he said.

My mother stared at the candy.

Then she stared at him.

"Mrs. Alcott," he said. "I'd like to ask you something, and you can say no."

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