The doctor came in and said, “I know this is painful, but once you’re ready, we’ll begin.”
I kneeled beside Leo and whispered, “It’s time to say goodbye to Daddy.”
Leo’s lower lip trembled, but he didn’t cry.
Diane rubbed his shoulder. “Be brave, honey.”
The room fell silent. One nurse turned away, and another wiped her eyes. The doctor stepped toward the machines. He reached for the switch.
“No!” Leo’s voice cut through the room. He grabbed the doctor’s hand.
“It’s time to say goodbye to Daddy.”
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The doctor gave me a careful look. “It’s common for children to resist in moments like this.”
“No,” Leo said again. He turned toward Mark, gripping his backpack. “I know what to do.”
“Leo, sweetheart…” I reached for him, but he pulled away.
Before anyone could stop him, he unzipped the backpack.
A nurse took a step forward. “Honey, you can’t—”
But Leo was already reaching inside. He pulled out something black and rectangular. Heavy enough that he needed both hands to hold it.
A recorder.
“I know what to do.”
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My stomach dropped. I’d never seen that specific recorder before and had no idea where he might’ve gotten it.
“Leo… where did you get that?”
He looked at me with wet eyes. “Dad and I made it. Mom, one man told me this would wake Dad up.”
