“I called just so you may know that he’s really doing a good job here. I’d like to keep him here with her,” Maya said softly. “If that’s all right.” There was a pause, then Claire’s gentle voice replied, “My son always had a purpose in life. Even his death wasn’t in vain; he had signed up to donate his heart. If Milo has found where he belongs, let him stay.”
When the call ended, Maya sat in silence, the phone still pressed to her ear. Outside the window, rain tapped softly against the glass. Somewhere down the hall, Milo barked, as if echoing the woman’s blessing. Maya was now fairly certain of one thing—that she should call back Claire and urge her to take one more step.