“What did she say?”
Danny looked at the rose bush.
“She said, ‘I’ve got you,’” he said. “Over and over. ‘I’ve got you. I’ve got you. You’re going to be okay. I’ve got you.’”
Ellie was quiet.
“That’s what you said to Mr. Hops,” she said. “In the car. I remember. You said, ‘It’s okay, Mr. Hops. I’ve got you.’”
Danny looked at her.
“I guess I did,” he said slowly. “I guess I learned it from her.”
“And I say it to Grandma,” Ellie said. “When she has bad days. I hold her hand and I say, ‘I’ve got you, Grandma.’”
Danny didn’t say anything.
“So my mommy’s still saying it,” Ellie said. “Isn’t she? Through us.”
Danny put his arm around her.
“Yeah, Ellie,” he said quietly. “I think she is.”
I went back inside before they saw me.
