I cracked a small smile at his teasing. Yes, he was right. I had to let Nicholas deal with it in his own way and hope with time, patience, and maybe a few more therapy sessions, he would be able to stop blaming himself.

Virgil and I spent the next two hours playing chess, making fun of daytime television, and answering all of Nicholas' calls to check on me.

And even though I'd forced Nicholas to leave, I was happiest when he walked back in through the door, looking freshly showered and carrying ...