Mel had been in the ICU on ventilator support for three days. His wife was by the bedside that Saturday morning as Dr. Fromberg checked the settings.

Satisfied, he turned to her.

“I think we’ll be able to get him off the ventilator by this time tomorrow, Edith.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Well… We’ll give it a try.”

She added several frown lines to her forehead as she looked from the tubes and lines to Dr. Fromberg.

“Could you make it the day after tomorrow?… I mean, it’s been so pleasant not having to listen to Mel for the last three days.”