Jeffrey stood in the hallway outside Hannah’s room, his heart pounding in his chest. He had just come from speaking to Tim and Sarah, and their words, their pain, had cut deeper than any wound he had ever received in battle. They were hurting, blaming themselves, and in their grief, they had turned their anger toward Hannah. It wasn’t fair, but grief rarely was.
He exhaled sharply, gathering the courage to knock. His hand hovered near the door, and he hesitated. His mind raced with what he would say. Hannah had only been trying to help, and things had gotten out of control. He owed her an apology for how things had spiraled, and maybe, just maybe, she felt the same way.
Finally, he knocked.
“Come in,” came Hannah’s voice from inside, muffled but still steady.
Jeffrey pushed the door op
