|Katherine|
My hands shook so violently I nearly missed the call button, but somehow I managed to slam it down. The sharp buzz filled the sterile hospital room, echoing in my ears like a desperate plea. My chest was pounding so hard it felt as though my heart might claw its way out.
“Grandpa—h-he’s awake!” The words tumbled out of me in a breathless rush, half a sob, half a cry for help.
The nurse’s voice crackled through the receiver, calm and efficient. [“We’ll be there as soon as possible, Mrs. Lanford.”]
I nodded instinctively, forgetting she couldn’t see me. My trembling fingers slipped from the button, and I stumbled back to Grandpa’s bedside.
His hand twitched. Just barely. His eyelids flickered, restless, like a dreamer trying to tear free from a nightmare.
“Grandpa? C-can yo
