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CHAPTER 20

Leighton

My ar with his hair It’s just ust’s home

This , he was released from the hospital with a lot of fanfare His rooive hiifted hi stuffed teddy bear dressed in a Children’s Hospital lab coat

Sam sat in the backseat with lass as he took everything in, while August drove us to his house It was Sam’s first time outside in thirty-four days

At August’s, he explored every nook and cranny Was appropriately amazed and huain,a three-bedroo on the pull-out sofa in the basement man cave, but he didn’t mind

After we had pizza for lunch, per Saust spent the afternoon in thefootball I checked in on them once to see Sam had fallen asleep on the couch, his head on his dad’s lap This was ust and my dad were passed out, too Perhaps the excitement of the day was just too much

I stayed upstairs reading a book, then made a pot roast for dinner It was the first tiether around a real table for a ust’s home, and our future is very undefined, it felt very ether

Now Saust and ht in his new bed, but left us alone Without the need to appear ainst ood old-fashioned “mom comfort” We did this in the hospital, too, but this feels way better No IV tubing to get in the way orin to check vitals No harsh fluorescent lights or antiseptic smells

Just Sahtly routine before he drifts off to sleep

“Want to know soles closer His voice is sated and dreamy

“What’s that?” Ihis hair

“Today has been the best day of my life,” he announces