Axel's two weeks in the hospital had been both the longest and the most unexpectedly peaceful days he had experienced in years.
His grandmother had been discharged a week before him, much to his relief, and her recovery had given him one less thing to worry about. Dayonna had practically made the hospital her second home, dropping by almost every day with gossip, snacks, and stories that kept his spirits up. Even Milford, who Axel had been convinced would rather be anywhere else than in a hospital room, had shown up several times, sitting quietly and talking about random things until Axel's pain dulled enough for them to laugh together.
