When it came time to sign consent for more tests, the pen shook in my hand. The clerk mentioned costs, and I barely registered them. I signed anyway.

Aster, for his part, swiped his card without asking. Simone organized paperwork, brought personal items to the hospital because she knew I’d be staying indefinitely. The world kept spinning, even though I wished it would reverse and take me back to the door of that bus. I never should have stepped on.

I looked at Jimi—his breathing rapid, hair ...