"Don't worry about that." He adjusted his glasses briefly. "I heard what happened. I've reviewed Nathan's medical records, and Dr. Bentil has filled me in on everything I needed to know." He held Max's gaze steadily.
"I've made the arrangements. The surgery will be done in two days."
Max stared at him.
"You don't have to worry," the doctor added simply.
Something loosened in Max's chest. Not completely, too much was still pulled tight for that, but enough. He nodded slowly, the muscles in his jaw relaxing just slightly.
"Good," he said. Then, quieter. "Good."
Dr. Simon studied him for a brief moment the way doctors studied people without making it obvious they were doing so. His expression remained gentle, but his eyes were thoughtful.
"They struggled to sleep," he said. "The boys." He tilted his head toward the house. "It seems they haven't slept alone before. They kept waking." He paused. "You didn't find their mother, did you?"
