Evan sits at the piano before I’ve measured his core temperature, and I hesitate, glancing towards James who watches him with a surprised smile edging his lips. I force agitation away, and soon almost forget it completely as a graceful etude envelops the apartment. I’ve vowed to uphold a scientific, unbiased, and professional relationship in my position here, but the expressions on their faces as they turn to each other make it more difficult than I’d anticipated. I struggle not to wonder and instead document the numbers on his flexibility and stamina.

It’s too early in the research for the installation of executable applications which makes Evan’s unaided talent all the more impressive, but harrowing. Had he not accepted our program only silence would now be filling his void. Silence and longing, judging by James’ quickly swept tears as he’s fumbling for the handle on his mug. It must have been a long time since he’d heard the surely familiar melody. Cancer has such an unfair way of draining the body.