"Aunt Ruth." I say, as I enter the room. She looks at me, her eyes swollen and red. She must've cried all night.

"Natalie." She says, getting up. I drop the flowers on the table. We hug.

"I missed you." I say. "Did you cry all night?" I ask, arranging her hair. I look at uncle Mark. I can barely recognize him. He's lost so much weight and has little or no hair left. It seems like he's unconscious or sleeping.

A few hours later. . .

It's about six in the evening. "Aunt, will you be fine? I've got to go home early."

Aunt Ruth nods at me, smiling....