"Can't tell the future any more than I can tell the past," he says with a teasing grin, but his expression sinks quickly back into disappointment.

"Was looking forward to that, too."

He continues walking around the hospital bed until he's standing next to Regan's cot, bends down, and looks closely at her. Uncomfortable-looking posture. The outstretched arm. Her carefully coiffed hair sprawled inelegantly on the pillow. The necklace she forgot to take off before bed.