[The young man doesn't look up. Before he answers, he lets go of the hand he was holding, allowing it to fall gently to the blanket underneath.]

He knew he was dying, but he was afraid. [His voice drops a tone, the words flowing as if they belong to someone else:] Little blue dress stained with blood, coughing until she couldn't breathe. So light when she left.

I told him she was waiting, and the fear went away.