“Lady Chatterley. It was her favorite book when I was young, always used to read it in the garden while she watched me play, so I figured maybe she might like it. The doc says she might be able to hear us, so I don’t know … maybe it’s stupid.” Colton reverts to that boy once more, the one I met and knew all these years, and it tugs at my heartstrings so deeply I just have to touch him.

“It’s not stupid. It’s sweet and shows her you love her. If she is aware, then it’s probably nice to hear your voice, and a story, instead of noise and...