For a long, suffocating moment, the old man just stood there, stunned into silence.
He finally made a hesitant move to step toward Adrian's bed, but before he could reach his son, the hospital door swung open.
The nurses stepped inside, bowing respectfully toward Adrian's father before turning to Maya. "Sir, it is time for the procedure." She then turned to Maya and added, "Both of you need to step out of the room now, please."
Adrian didn't cry. Even though the confrontation was incredibly triggering and dug up the ghosts of his past, watching his sister stand up for him so fiercely lifted a crushing, suffocating weight right off his chest. For the first time in his life, a deep sense of relief washed over him. He felt protected.
Without another word, Maya and their father turned and stepped out into the corridor.
