“Of course,” the doctor said.
The surgery was scheduled for the next morning. That night, Elo lay in bed staring at the ceiling, Sky curled up beside her on top of the covers.
“What if something goes wrong?” Elo whispered.
“Nothing will go wrong,” Sky said. “The doctor is really good.”
“What if they come back?” Elo asked. “Miss Calva. Or Uncle Dorian.”
“Your dad won’t let them,” Sky said. “And neither will I.”
“You’re the bravest person I know,” Elo said.
Sky smiled.
“No,” she replied. “You are. You survived all this before I even showed up.”
“I don’t feel brave,” Elo said.
“Brave people never do,” Sky told her. “They just keep going anyway.”
“Thank you,” Elo whispered. “For seeing me.”
“Always,” Sky said.
The next morning, they went to the clinic early. Elo wore a hospital gown that swallowed her small frame. She clung to Sky’s hand until the very last moment.
“I’ll be right here when you wake up,” Sky said.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
They wheeled Elo into surgery. Ariston and Sky sat in the waiting room, the clock on the wall moving slower than any clock had ever moved in their lives.
Two hours felt like forever.
Finally, the doctor came out, pulling off her cap.