“I don’t know if I should even say this, but I’m going to say it. You do what you feel like you should do, and then we’ll be square.” The young man’s voice quavered and echoed in the bare and sterile room.

He continued, “I’ve brought the stuff. Half of it’s, you know, well let’s just say I may be fudging things. I hope that’s okay. Usually is, I find. Life’s like that, isn’t it? You strive, and you try, and you paste things together as best you can. Only…only you can’t always get it just right or…” His voice trailed off, sounding tinny and hollow in his own ears.

With a cough and a squaring of his jaw, he pressed on, “Look, it ain’t like this is easy, not on any account. But here I am. I’ve done the stuff. I’ve paid the price. Now…well, now, all I’ve got to say is, you know…”

The words fought to escape, doing so only in a whisper, “Come back.“

Silence answered. Darkness fell outside, though it was noonday. And with a cautious timidity, the body on the slab moved under the sheet.