Page 22 of Absolution

Chapter Seven

Jackie~March 2020

The bedroom is dim, the only light coming from the hallway where we’ve left the door cracked open just enough to hear the monitor. Levi’s in the next room. He’s finally asleep.

I shift under the blanket and turn toward Kyle. He’s already watching me, one arm tucked behind his head, the other resting lightly over my stomach.

“Did you check the humidifier?” I ask, my voice a murmur.

“Set it to 45%. Filled it up too,” he replies, just as low.

I nod, exhaling slowly. “Thank you.”

A quiet moment passes.

“Hand sanitizer’s by the door,” he says. “I reminded the girls before dinner. Twice.”

“You did?” I smile softly. “God, we’re paranoid.”

“We’re careful,” he corrects. “Big difference.”

Outside, the wind picks up. Somewhere downstairs, the boiler kicks on. Kyle shifts closer, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“You asleep?” he murmurs.

“No.”

“He looked stronger today,” I whisper.

Kyle nods against my shoulder. “Colour’s better. Didn’t gasp after sitting up. That’s something.”

“He asked for strawberries at lunch.”

“That’s everything.”

I blink up at the ceiling, chest tight with something between hope and exhaustion. “I still can’t believe it. After everything.”

“I know,” Kyle whispers. “I keep waking up thinking it’s a dream.”

We fall quiet again. I can hear the steady tick of the monitor, and a low hum from the hallway purifier.

“They said no visitors for at least three weeks,” I remind him. “Even if people say they’re fine.”

“I already told my mom not to come by,” Kyle says. “And your brother knows. Everyone’s on the same page.”

“Good.” I exhale, then laugh quietly. “Feels like we’re guarding Fort Knox.”

“We are. His lungs are made of gold now.”

I smile at that. A tired, real smile. “They really are, aren’t they?”

Kyle reaches for my hand under the blanket. “We got him home, Jackie. We did it.”

I squeeze his fingers. “I’m scared to let myself believe it’s going to be okay.”

“I know. Me too.”

I look at him. His face is lined with stress and sleepless nights, but he’s here. We both are. And Levi’s in the next room. Breathing on his own.

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