Chapter 10

• Leo followed James discreetly, making sure not to be seen. Instead of going home, James headed to the hospital where his mother had been for months, awaiting a heart transplant he couldn’t afford. His older brother, Theo, was no help; he squandered his time drinking and smoking, unable to contribute financially.
• Their mother had been a single parent since their father died two years ago, leaving James to shoulder the burden of care alone. He entered her hospital room quietly and found her sleeping. Sitting by her bedside, he held her hand, tears streaming down his face.
• “Theo,” James said, rising as he saw his brother stumbling into the room, clearly drunk.