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“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Grant’s voice was muted, like it was buried under piles of blankets.

“Mommmmm,” Sophie sang out. “Time to wake up!”

“Give her a minute.”

“Can I have some money for the snack machine? They have Starbursts. It’s right there, in the hall.”

“Sweetie, she’s about to wake up. Just wait. You can have candy later.”

Sophie didn’t need candy. I tried to open my eyelids, but they were too heavy. I tried to speak, but my mouth was so dry. I swallowed and licked my lips. “Water,” I croaked.

“Honey? Honey, we’re right here.” There was pressure on my arm; then someone was shaking me. Why in the hell were they shaking me?

I coughed, and then my eyes worked. I squinted, trying to bring things into focus. “Water,” I repeated.

“Sophie, go get the nurse and tell her Perla wants some water.” He loomed above me and was grinning like an idiot. “Hey, sweetie. Kellan says you did great.”

I did great. Like I had done anything more than lie there and drool. I tried to smile, but my entire face hurt. I closed my eyes and let out a sob. Why the fuck did this hurt so bad? It felt like someone had smashed me in the nose with a hammer.

“It hurts so bad,” I whispered, and tears leaked out of my eyes as the red-hot pain intensified. “Why does it hurt so bad?” I started to wail as a nurse appeared, a white cone in hand.

“Here you go,” she said cheerfully, her hand firm on my back as she pushed me upright and pressed the paper rim to my lips.

I guzzled it. “More.”

She lowered me back down. “We’ll give you some more in a little bit, but we don’t want to upset your stomach. That’s enough for now.”

That’s enough for now. What was I, ten? Rage flooded through me, and I opened my mouth to tell her off, but the action caused another stab of pain, and I cried out, then started to sob.

Grant gripped my arm, rubbing it reassuringly while he babbled on about how strong and amazing I was, that the pain would be over soon and that I looked so beautiful.

He was a good husband, despite all his faults. I turned my head, looking at him through the tears, and felt a wave of affection and remorse. “I’m sorry,” I said.

He kissed my forehead as carefully as he could. “You have nothing to be sorry for, my love.”

I wanted to laugh at that, but the scrunching of my face triggered another slice of pain.