I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

All can see me, I think. They simply do not think my presence is
unnatural.
They accept it like the sound of a scalpel against a metal tray and
the brightness of the surgeon’s light.
“Sam,” Coeur says again, eyes half-lidded, yet on the verge of panic.
“You have to take care of him while I’m under, okay?”
I caress his hand, the one that Neo had to let go.
“Okay.”
“You need to make him take his medicine. He–he has–has one
round in the evening and two in the mornings. He won’t eat if he’s
alone either, alright? Sit and–and eat with him, that way he’ll have a
little at least. And–and you have to offer to do something with him
otherwise he won’t get out of bed. Take him to the library or the
gardens, but–but don’t let him sit too close to the hedge, his skin
gets itchy. And he says he hates hugs, but he doesn’t, he needs
them. Hug him tonight, alright? Just hold him whenever he’s sad or
scared. And–” Coeur stops, breathing in as if he’s trying not to cry.
“Sam, if his dad comes, you have to protect him. I–I know you don’t
intervene–I know that’s one of your rules–but you have to keep him
safe for me.”
“I will,” I say and Coeur knows I mean it.
“Thank you, Sam.” He smiles and my hand slips from his. “You really
are a strange, beautiful thing.”
The anesthesiologist stands over Coeur and places a mask on his
nose and mouth. “Countdown for me sweetheart, okay?”
“Will you count with me, Sam?” Coeur breathes.
I nod.