The hospital is as every other: clinical, white and blue, sterile halls and rooms, and the strong odor of chemicals with a dingy taint in the air. Sophie is holding my hand as we walk, and she looks so noticeably young and afraid. My gut instinct is to haul her close to my side and place a protective arm about her shoulders, and the thought makes me smile. Who knew I was maternal? I do exactly that and meet no resistance from her. Jake, thanks to his overly familiar, hands-on way of life, has turned me into a touchy-feely person just like him, but I’m not annoyed by it.

Does...