Although Dr. Thompson declared that I was as healthy as any other fourteen-year-old boy out there, he still insisted to keep me around for at least three more days to make sure that I was truly recovered.
Jaden and Dad came over late in the afternoon that day. They just came from a baseball tournament. Jaden was covered in dirt from cap to shoes. Mom forced him to take a bath and change clothes before he was allowed to approach me.
"Daniel is doing very well today," Mom told Dad, her eyes sparkling from excitement. "The pneumonia is gone. In one night. If nothing else happens within these upcoming three days, he can go home."
Dad let out a long whistle.
"Good grief. Well done, Daniel!"
Dad came over to rub at my head affectionately, messing up my already messy hair. I merely grinned in return. What exactly did I do to deserve the praise? These days, my greatest achievement was to stay alive.
