My Mother

The first time they put the oxygen mask on her face, Lily fought weakly against it.

“Mommy,” she whispered, voice raspy. “I don’t like it.”

“I know, baby,” I said, leaning over the bed and brushing damp hair off her forehead. “But it’s helping your body.”

Daniel stood behind me with both hands gripping the rail, his knuckles white.

Lily looked at him through continue reading …