Did I sleep, too? When? When the doctor opened the door for her, she bit her lip, afraid of what she might see, afraid not to see her precious baby. Amanda stepped into the room. Cecelia looked too tiny for the bed, her blond hair peeking out from a bandage around her head. All Amanda could think was, what have I done to her? Elevated casts on Cecelia’s left leg and left arm made her appear like part of the machinery. Monitors beeped and flashed next to her bed. Amanda reached for her daughter’s right arm and clung to it as if to a life raft. She kissed it and her tears soaked into the blanket. “Cece. I’m here, darling. Please wake up.” Marcus stood behind Amanda and rested his hands on her shoulders, as if willing strength into her. “Mrs. Gardner?” Amanda looked up at the doctor, tears streaking her cheeks. The physician smiled at her.
