But David is on the other end. He is waiting for me to tell him if his father is still there. He is waiting for a scrap of hope.

I pick up the phone. I hold it to my ear. I don’t say anything yet.

I just listen to his breathing on the other end. It is shaky. It is full of the same fear that I am feeling.

“Sarah?” he whispers. “Is he… is he still with us?”

I look at the letter on the table. The seal is still unbroken. I could tell him to come over right now. I could tell him everything. I could give him the chance to see his father one last time, even if his father doesn’t want it.

I take a deep breath. My hand is shaking so hard I can barely hold the device.

“David,” I say, and my voice cracks.

I don’t know what I am going to do. I don’t know if I will tell him to come or if I will tell him it is too late. The words are sitting right there on the tip of my tongue, waiting to change everything.

I look at the bedroom door one more time. Then I look at the letter.

“David,” I say again. “I have something I need to tell you.”