Which Man Stays?

A'S

a clean slate. A terrible, empty one. I walk ba

eadfast silhouette in the terribl

lighter. Having one person who simpl

him back to us." The process is slow, a careful dial-turn of consciousness. L

tourist. He's clean, shaved, wearing a crisp shirt. He looks at Liam,

't know you w

voice is neutral, but his posture-leaning forward, elb

oor. "You should go get

w familiar voices when he wakes up." The implication-that

ut, checking it, a shield against the scene

e room is a third presence, thick and sour. Daniel's phone buzzes constantly. He steps

right?" I ask on

rt away. "And Clara's just... wo

am coughs, a sound suspicio

room. Daniel isn't just uncomfortable with Liam's presence; he's threatened by it. Liam's qui

o call request. He rejects it, frustrated. A s

at them. A small, fond smile touches his lips.

he screen away, but it's too late. He's standing

se

rk. Lily with a ice cream smile. L

scanned, faded school picture of a young boy with gapped teeth and

old. I've seen that photo in hi

ded dimple. The same crinkle at the corner of the eyes. It's not a resembl

, soundless rush. The pieces don't

Five. Just o

udden rea

iate,all-consu

e misplaced loyalty. The

. He was tending to his own garden. He

ads to my fingertips. I look from the ghost of Daniel in the photo on his screen to the living man,

's eyes narrow. He's always been quick. He looks from Daniel's panicked expression to my hollow one,

ya, it's... it's just a funny pictu

ype, Daniel?" My vo

ha

t's her bl

A good father would know.

e? Like you? Lik

he confession i

, disoriented. His glassy eyes scan the room, past his father hovering lik

om

've ever heard. I'm at his side in an instant, my hand

ze shifts slightly, to th

he redemption only a sick child can

the effort too much. He whispers one mor

nfused murmur. He heard his

r, his hand brushing Leo's foot over the blanket.

son's first conscious breath. Upstaged

s heart, his loyalty, his fatherhood. The man who gave a

ay, the words

ase, let m

ospital security that you are a disturbance to my son's recove

e leaves, his shoulders slumped, the secret

breaths. Liam sinks back into his chair, running a trembling hand

I didn't kno

didn't know was me. And maybe, in his own cowardly

aths. I look at Liam, the brother who stayed. The ground is gone, bu

is right here in this room.