28.2 Recovery

"So he's fine, right? My brother's fine?" I heard Lise suddenly reassert herself back into the conversation, her tone hopeful as her eyes flitted between my pitiful form and Anna's. "He's gonna be okay?"

"You don't need to hear it from me, Lise," the older woman chuckled as she swept a stray lock of hair away from her face. "You can see it for yourself."

Looking directly into my eyes, a strange sense of vulnerability washed over me as I stared directly into my sister's watchful gaze. It was awkward, but I did my best to give her some reassurance with a weak nod. I just hoped that it would reach her.

"It's good to have you back, Brother," Lise sniffled as she gave off another thousand-watt smile. "I'm sorry I wasn't good enough. I promise I'll get better."

What? That couldn't be right. I was supposed to be the one apologizing here, not her!