"They're here," Mason Shaw said with a nod, then helped the elderly couple forward.
Seeing this, Mina Jennings and Julia Dawson instinctively took a couple of steps back to make room.
"Oh, dear..." Brianna Bell leaned her hands on the bed rail, her back stooped as she looked at Sonia Quincy. "You've been through so much. You really have."
"Thank you for your concern," Sonia Quincy replied politely.
"Dear child, are you still in pain?" Jackson Shaw wanted to reach out and pat Sonia Quincy's head, but, fearing she might find it too forward, he anxiously clutched the hem of his shirt instead.
Sonia Quincy shook her head. "Thank you for your concern, sir. I'm not in pain anymore."
"Good..." Jackson Shaw forced a smile, but as he did, he couldn't stop the tears from falling.
He raised a hand, flustered, and wiped the tears from his face. His voice was trembling and hoarse. "That's good... As long as it doesn't hurt, that's all that matters."
