You tuck in the quilt again. She frowns, her eyes remaining shut.

You kiss her forehead. She’s still warmer than she should be. You know it’s just a cold, but…

Her eyes open. “Daddy, don’t have to stay. Don’t want you to get sick…”

Forcing a smile, you stay anyway.

Joey tries to write a little. You can find him and abuse him at joeytoey.com.