Ana responded weakly.
“Que?” Tania replied.
“He-low,” she whispered. Hielo. Ice. Tania placed a few
flakes of crushed ice on Ana's tongue. She leaned back on
the pillow, enjoying the sensation. Ana pulled my hand,
beckoning me closer. She wrapped her arms around my
neck, squeezing me with what little strength she had. Then
we kissed.
I don’t know if I had ever felt more loved.
Optimism infected even me as I nodded off to sleep.
Just before 5:30 that morning, I heard the IV's alarm.
Our fingers were intertwined, hers loosely. Seeing the bag
drained, I got out of the chair, laid her hand across her
chest, shut off the alarm, and summoned a nurse. I retook
my seat, moving it perpendicular to Ana's shoulders. She
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