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Right foot

One after the other at a painfully slow pace

I make it to the cab of my truck and shut arage in front of ht

That’s how long Bryson cooked in Amanda’s belly for

Twenty-eight weeks

I beatthat the horn blares a few ti Not able to breathe on his own Unable to eat It’s not fair

He didn’t ask to be brought into this world, but here he is, the underdog, already fighting to make it

I restover My fingers grip the steering wheel until my skin hurts I need pain Pain I can control

My passenger door opens and Mom wraps her arms around me She pulls me into her and I can’t hold back any but he can’t because of all those damn tubes

“Shhh” Mom rubs her hand in circles onto be alright”

I sit up and look her in the eye Hers are bloodshot, like mine, from fallen tears It chokes est woman I know

“Will it? He’s so tiny, Mom How can a baby be that small and survive?”

“Hey” Mom cradles my cheeks and wipes my tear

s with her thumbs “Bryson has the best doctors available Besides, he’s a Thomas—even if his naoing to be fine You wait and see”

She kisses et hoht and Layla is probably worried sick”