I knelt down then, on the floor beside the cot, and stroke his hand gently, because I was afraid I might disturb him. I talked to him. I told him things. I told him what had happened when I'd first seen him, and how I'd loved him straight away. I told him that he was the best kind of brother and that I'd never wanted him to be different. I told him I'd go on loving him for ever, as long as I lived. I told him he'd be all right..
That's where Dad came to me, later. And when I saw him I found last that I could cry, and I couldn't stop, and we cried together until there were no tears left.