Celeste didn't hear the words. She saw Marcus's knees go, saw Dr. Osei catch his arm, saw him put his face in his hands and his shoulders begin to shake. She stayed in her chair by the aquarium. This moment wasn't hers. She sat and watched the orange fish go around and around and let the tears run down her flawless face into her collar, and she did not wipe them away.
Afterward, when the surgeon had gone, Marcus came back over and righted his chair and sat in it.
"Both valves," he said. "She says they look great. She says he's tough." He laughed, a broken, wet sound. "I could've told her that."
"Yes."
"He'll be in the ICU a couple of days. I can see him in an hour." He looked at her. "You should go home. Get some sleep. You look like hell."
"Thank you."
He almost smiled again. "I mean it. Go." Then, as she stood: "Hey. Celeste."
She looked back.
"When he's awake. When he's in a regular room, maybe Thursday, Friday. If you want to give him the drawing yourself." He held out the manila envelope. He had been holding it all day. "I'll ask him. I'm not promising anything. It's up to him. But I'll ask."
* * *
Theo said yes on Friday, on the condition that she not touch the folder.