"I return Fiona's almost-smile, feeling that odd combination of sick and excited again. Fiona won't be any more explicit than she already has been, but she's given me the answer as best she can.

"Thank you," I tell her. Then quickly add, "For watching after my dad, of course."

"Just doing my job." She's already bent her head over the computer again. I turn and head back toward Dad's room.

So my suspicions were right. I don't know how I feel about that - ...