I smiled sadly, assuming she meant when she was older.
Instead, she quietly added, “I probably won’t have a husband.”
The room fell silent.
Even the steady beeping of the monitors seemed louder.
My throat tightened.
I opened my mouth to reassure her, but no words came.
Children were not supposed to think like that.
Not at four years old.
Josh remained still.
“Why do you think that?” he asked gently.
“Because I’m sick.”
His expression softened.
“You know what I think?”
She looked up.
“I think you’re one of the bravest girls I’ve ever met.”
She shrugged.
“If I could choose, I’d want my husband to be as handsome and kind as Nurse Josh.”
I wanted the floor to swallow me.
“Oh, sweetheart,” I whispered.
Josh laughed quietly, though his eyes looked suspiciously wet.
“That’s a very sweet compliment.”
She smiled proudly.
“I mean it.”
He finished checking her chart and walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned back.
“See you tomorrow, Princess.”
She waved enthusiastically.
Neither of us realized how deeply her words had affected him.
The following day brought heavy rain.
Dark clouds covered the city from morning until evening.
Adeline had a difficult chemotherapy session and slept through most of the afternoon.
When she finally woke, Josh was beginning his shift.
He walked in carrying a small paper cup filled with crayons from the children’s activity room.
“I heard an artist was staying here.”
Her tired face brightened.
“They’re for me?”
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