I almost ask, almost stop to make sure it's really okay, but that barely there nod is gonna have to be enough. I can't start questioning these things. I've gotta just let it happen, or we'll never get anywhere.

It's awkward, 'cause I've never taken it off of him before, but I've watched him do it enough times that I slide it off without too much fumbling, turning to put the prosthesis down on the floor by the bed. I turn back to him, hurrying before he can take the liner off himself, and I reach down to slide that off, too, touching that part of his leg for the first time in months.