She pulls the Depends down and helps the shaking frame settle on the raised toilet.

Gently, she rubs a hand, skin like crumpled tissue paper. That hand once cared for her. Things change.

The report is folded in her purse, but she decides right then: family is more than blood.

Carol Scheina writes and edits as a freelancer. In free moments, she dreams up stories while trying to keep the cat from jumping on the keyboard and messing everything up. You can find some of her writing at carolscheina.wordpress.com.