After everything was calm, I stayed by my brother's side until he fell asleep. His breathing became steady. His face looked tired even in sleep. I sat there for a few more minutes, just watching his chest rise and fall.
Each inhale was shallow at first. Then deeper. Slower. I counted them without meaning to.
My fingers were wrapped around the edge of the mattress so tightly my knuckles hurt. I did not realize I was holding my breath too until my lungs started to burn. I let it out quietly, afraid even the sound of it would wake him. He did not move.
His lashes rested against his cheeks. There were faint shadows under his eyes. He looked younger like this. Not like someone who carried the weight of bills, work, and me.
When I finally stepped outside his room, I saw Kaye asleep beside Eriko. Kaye's head was resting on Eriko's arm, and Eriko was leaning back in the chair, mouth slightly open. Both of them looked exhausted.
