Andrea cries until her eyes burn and her throat aches. Her entire body feels heavy and broken, but she slowly climbs to her feet. She smooths the quilt over Charles and gently squeezes his cold hand. She blinks and for a moment, his face transforms: it’s warm and full of life again, and he smiles his soft smile. Then she wipes her eyes and sees him pale and thin and half-dead.
“Will he stay here until—until,” Andrea can’t finish the question.
“Until he dies?” Andrew asks. “No, the Peters family will pick him up and move him to one of their own care facilities.”
“Good—his own family should take care of him,” Andrea says. “When are they coming for him?”
“Soon,” Andrew replies.
Andrea nods. She wants Charles to be cared for by people who love him, but she’s scared of the consequences. Th
