Alejandro left the hospital room while Gail clutched Laurie’s hand and kissed the back of it.

“I’m so sorry for what I put you through!” Lifting her head, Gail’s molten eyes searched her daughter’s. Seeing what she needed, tears suddenly streamed down her plump face.

Laurie groaned and struggled to sit up and put her arm around her mother.

“It’s okay, mom. It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known what would happen.” Once again, even hospitalized, ...