“I suppose I could have.”
He pulled a chair closer.
“The doctors say you’re fortunate to be here.”
I looked at the blanket covering my legs.
“I know.”
After a moment, I asked him to help me find the two girls.
Marcus looked puzzled. “The children from the park?”
“They were the first to call attention to what was happening. I want to thank them.”
“I’ll see what I can learn from the park authorities and the people who organized any activities there.”
“Please be discreet. I don’t want their family disturbed, and I don’t want this turned into a publicity campaign.”
Marcus nodded.
“And don’t offer anyone money just to make the arrangements easier,” I added. “I want to thank them, not make them feel obligated to me.”
He studied me for a moment.
“Understood.”
After he left, I lay back and thought about Lily’s small backpack resting beside my hand.
