And his world comes to a standstill.

He isn't breathing.

He doesn't blink.

Is this what happens in cardiac arrest?

Air from his lungs is sucker-punched out of him, and he nearly rocks back on the force of it. His muscles lock in a twisted position as he stares at the tattered bear with the frayed bow tie. The room seems to close in on him, and he starts to mouth something but can't get it into words.

"They're a happy family," she continues as if he's not staggered, her attention solely on the bow-tied bear.

Family.

An f-word that's never meant a shit thing to him. But everything to...