Moments Under The Sun.

a's

staring at the speckled ceiling tiles as if the patterns held answers. It was strange how quickly you

not of peace, but of anticipation. It settled into my bones, weighi

ng the secrets of the universe,"

curly hair spilling out of a loose bun. She wore the same navy scrubs as al

plied, my voice ra

e know if you crack it. I co

hed into something like a sm

her knees. "How are you feeling today? A

gainst the lump in my thr

just struck some sort of deal. "Tired, we ca

down these days. Still, I appreciated her effort. Claire had a

-

rs an

ellow roses that someone-probably my father-had sent. She plucked out a fe

mmented, glancing back a

ad's way of ov

ensating

d, the bitterness slipping

er shoulders stiffened. "He cares," she said finally.

. It wasn't wor

in, painting golden streaks across the stark white walls. Outside,

-

iliar

s. Before I could respond, the door creaked open,

stepped inside. He was carrying a crinkl

smile tugging at my lips

aire had just vacated. "Brought you some contraband," he said

pproved," Claire commen

pproved," Daniel shot b

r eyes but didn'

I said, reaching

air, stretching his long legs out in f

d. "Same

ng, t

tly. "You cou

-

erly

is knees. "You look better than the last time

, though I appre

ted. "You've got more

forcing me to eat," I

ing. "Someone's gotta make sure

be at full strength so you can get out of

been in days. "Don't think I've forgotte

" he protested, his eyes

u live it down," I rep

-

red M

m of banter and laughter. It reminded me of simpler

the treehouse?" Daniel asked suddenl

forget? You fell out

laugh," he said, his

ocence. "I was too busy trying to dra

ounds about right.

on softening. "You've always been t

nspoken. I looked away, focusing on th

-

iet

h a magazine he'd grabbed from the waiting room, while Claire b

't realize I needed. The sound of their voices, the warmth

suddenly, his voi

lied, my eyes

be okay," he sa

g at me, his jaw set in that stubbo

d, though the w

, satisfi

-

d of t

ard in hand. "Sorry to interrupt,

g his hands on his knee

dramatic," I

his embrace careful but

I whispered, my

to let him pass. "Take care of her," he

eplied, giving him

-

ents

ot oppressively so. Claire returned to her chair,

d of babysitting me?"

up, start

turing vaguely. "Don't you ever w

a burden. If that's what you're worried about, stop. I'm here becaus

ket. I blinked back the tears threatening

and stretching, "you should g

lready sinking deep

w was the sunlight streaming through