My lips parted a little, my eyes wide. "He..." My voice trailed off as my eyes moistened. Carl took a small breath, then pointed to the room again, where my dad was.
"He woke up?" I asked, my voice cracking.
He nodded. "He can't walk yet, and can say only a few words."
I swallowed and turned to the room. Without looking at Carl again, I turned sharply towards the stairs and ran with everything I had in me. Three long years. Ever since I was nineteen, ever since I still had hope, ever since I frequently visited him, until I didn't anymore. Until I didn't wait anymore.
And now, suddenly...I made the last trip on the stairs and ran to the door, my hand going straight to the door knob. I stopped for a while, my chest heaving with excitement.
I turned to the room below us, where Carl was
