We had all backed off, impotent in the face of her suffering. But the sounds of violent coughs came from her mouth. I hurried over, eager to see if it was a sign of recovery. She didn't stop to take a breath. She couldn't. She coughed and coughed until she physically couldn't anymore. She went silent. She took a final gasp of air. She went silent. No more gasps followed. I didn't check the thermostat. I couldn't even bear to look at it.
