Mira pressed her ear to the kitchen door. Whispers floated out. On the fridge, a photo of her uncle caught her eye.
She found the photo on the fridge and hugged it tight. Her mouth stayed in a flat line.
Her mom sat on the couch and patted the space beside her. "Your uncle is in the hospital," her mom said.
Mira shook her head and stomped her foot. Thump, thump. Her dad brought her a box of crayons.
Her dad pointed to the red crayon. Mira drew a lopsided house with a sun and a stick figure holding a balloon. She traced the paper with her thumb.
Her mom showed her a hospital card. "He can see your drawings," her mom said.
Mira's fingers gripped the edge of the card. She nodded slowly.
Her dad carried her to the hospital. Beeping machines filled the room. Mira placed her drawing on her uncle's chest.
His fingers moved. He smiled — a small, crooked smile. Mira giggled and squeezed his hand.
Back home, Mira set her drawing on the coffee table. Her uncle pointed at it and made a silly face.
Mira laughed out loud. Her mom sat close, and the three of them looked at the picture together.
They looked at the picture together. The house in the drawing had a sun, a balloon, and a family inside.