The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 7

Sloane stood by the front window, watching the taillights of Garrison's car disappear down the street.

She turned to see five-year-old Archie sitting on the rug, intensely focused on assembling a plastic anatomical model. Sloane hadn't been alone with him in so long. Looking at his cheeks, she felt like he had grown up all over again.

She wondered if he would even cry if she actually died.

"Do you really like medicine, Archie?"

Sloane walked over and carefully sat down beside him, her eyes brimming with a tragic, helpless affection.

"Mom, where is the pancreas?" Archie asked, not bothering to look up.

Sloane froze. She leaned in, squinting at the pieces. "I'm... not exactly sure, sweetie. Should we wait and ask Dad when he gets back?"

Archie rolled his eyes. "Quinn found it in two seconds. She said the pancreas is behind the stomach and looks like a little fish."

The undisguised pride in his voice made Sloane's heart clench. She picked up a puzzle piece, her voice soft.

"Aren't you smart? How about... Mom helps you put the rest together? Is this the heart?"

"That's the left ventricle," Archie corrected her bluntly, snatching the piece from her fingers and snapping it into place. "Quinn says the left ventricle pumps blood to the whole body. It's the strongest part of the heart."

Sloane stared at his serious, determined little profile. A chaotic storm of emotions tore through her.

He was so brilliant and obsessed with medicine. Maybe he would grow up to be an incredible doctor, too. But... she didn't know if she would even be alive to see it.

"Are you hungry, Archie? Let me make you some food." Sloane took a deep breath and forced herself to stand.

There was a brief pause on the line before a woman's voice took over. It was Quinn. "Sloane, there's a pre-made batch on the second shelf of the fridge. Just heat those up. It's much easier."

"Okay," Sloane replied shortly.

"How is Archie doing?" Garrison's voice returned.

"He's playing with his anatomy puzzle."

Garrison's tone softened instantly. "He loves that thing. Quinn bought it for him. Alright, I have to go. Call if you need anything."

The line went dead.

Sloane stood alone in the kitchen, staring at Quinn's perfectly prepped meals. She glanced over at her son on the rug. A violent ringing started in her ears. The world around her blurred into an empty, hollow void—as if it were another universe she could never touch, and a family she could never truly reach.