Emma looked at her mother.
“But what if she wakes up and we aren’t here?”
Paul stood. His discomfort hardened into procedure.
“These are the rules.”
Rules.
Lily had learned that word since her mother fell asleep.
Rules meant the nurse could not give them extra cafeteria food, even if she wanted to.
Rules meant Mrs. Alvarez could not sign certain papers because she was only a neighbor.Rules meant a mother could be breathing, and loving, and needed, but still be moved somewhere cheaper because a computer said so.
“What if she dies there?” Emma asked.
Paul’s face went blank.
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