““Dr. Espada says only one word. “Listen,” he says, his eyes piercing through his spectacles, and then turns away. Confused, I go on standing in the doorway for a moment, the buzz in my head quieting, until Alma turns back, halfway down the hall, calling for me. I slowly follow her toward the outdoors, where the sun settles low into the horizon, birds flying straight across its girth, oblivious to its heat.””
