She continued.
"I should've told you immediately."
He looked away.
For several moments, the only sound came from the monitor beside the bed.
Finally, he whispered, "I don't know what to do with this."
Nora nodded.
"I understand."
He looked toward her.
She continued.
"I'm not asking you to forgive me today."
He swallowed.
"Good."
The word hurt.
But she accepted it.
Then he looked at her carefully.
"Did you really keep the ring?"
Nora opened her purse.
She removed the little brass circle.
Held it in her palm.
Daniel stared.
She passed it to him.
His fingers closed around it.
For a moment, he seemed fourteen again.
He turned the ring toward the light.
There was the crooked scratch.
The one he made while trying to adjust the band.
He rubbed his thumb across it.
Then whispered, "I remember ruining this."
Nora smiled through tears.
"You didn't ruin it."
Daniel's eyes filled.
"You told me the scratch made it yours."
She nodded.
"It did."
He stared at the ring.
Then looked toward her.
"Forty-six years."
Nora swallowed.
"Yes."
He closed his hand.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then he placed the ring on the bedside table.
Not giving it back.
Not keeping it.
Simply setting it between them.
A small circle of tarnished brass carrying more history than either knew how to handle.
Daniel remained in the hospital for further observation and testing.
The medical team identified an intermittent heart rhythm problem that required treatment, follow-up, and changes to how he managed his work and fatigue.
He had been ignoring warning signs.
Occasional dizziness.
Unusual tiredness.
Moments when his heart seemed to race or beat irregularly.
He had blamed stress, long hours, and getting older.
Now the physicians explained that he needed to take those symptoms seriously.
Arthur listened with him.
So did Lucy.
Daniel asked questions.
He wanted to know what activities were safe, what treatment might be required, and what signs should prompt urgent care.
For once, he did not argue when someone told him to rest.
Lucy sat beside the bed with her arms crossed.
"You're taking time off."
Daniel smiled.
"Are you my doctor now?"
"No."
"Good. I couldn't afford your fees."
She frowned.
"Dad."
He softened.
"All right."
She looked toward Arthur.
"Tell him."
The old man nodded.
"You're taking time off."
Daniel sighed.
"Apparently the committee has spoken."
Lucy did not smile.
Her eyes filled.
"Dad, please."
He reached for her hand.