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Damiano’s parents arrive and the nurses help him change sides on the bed. He can’t do that on his own anymore.

One nurse, she’s young, looks at me, then starts to take out his IV and I stand, making her jump.

“What are you doing?”

She lets go of the IV and looks at the other nurse in the room, who walks over to me.

“He won’t need an IV anymore…”

She trails off as I shake my head.

“N-no. What if he needs medication? What if he needs more blood?”

My hands tremble and my voice cracks.

The young nurse starts crying and runs out of the room. The older nurse searches my eyes.

“He doesn’t need that anymore,” she says gently, then just stands there looking at me. Like she’s making sure I understand, waiting for it to sink in.

“But he needs it.”

My voice barely comes out.

“Please... he needs it.”

I take Damiano’s hand as the nurse carefully removes the IV.

“Please.”

A hand lands on my shoulder and I turn around.

My father is there.

When did he get here?

Tears stream down his face as he pulls me into a hug.

“I can’t.”

The words break apart inside my mouth.

“I can’t.”

I sob while he rocks me gently the way he used to when I was little.

“Vita.”

At the sound of Damiano’s voice, I pull away and look at him.

He tries to smile. It’s weak, but it’s there.

“I don’t feel pain anymore.”

He whispers it like it’s a good thing.

A small voice inside me starts screaming.

This isn’t good, this isn’t good!