"Then believe me, please, sweetie. I'm whole, complete. No man could be more complete. Do you believe me?"
Nod.
He cradled her in his arms, remembering baby days, changing diapers, spoon-feeding mush, the first clumsy steps, inevitable pratfalls. The privilege of watching it-watching all of them.
The room grew dark. Daniel said, "Get me my siddur, motek. It's time to pray ma'ariv."
While she fetched the prayerbook, he recited a silent modeh ani-thanking the Almighty for restoring his soul. A morning prayer, twelve hours too late.
But it felt like morning.