Chapter 6: The Hold

At ten to seven the loading dock filled up with my family.

The hearse backed in under the bay lights with its rear door open.

The funeral director stood beside it in a black coat and held a folder against his chest.

My mother came down the ramp with her arm through Blythe's, and Nolan walked behind them.

Chad had his hand on the small of Blythe's back.

The man from the cabin stood at the head of the gurney with his gloves back on.

I was in the corner by the cardboard compactor with my cart, and Heidi had planted me there.

"Don't write anything," she had said. "Don't move. Just be a person with a mop who's seen everything."

Seth stood at the top of the ramp in his shirtsleeves, since I was still wearing his security jacket, and he kept looking my way.

"Thank you all for coming," the funeral director said in a hushed voice. "We'll take her gently."

"One minute," Heidi said.

She stepped out from behind the hearse with her badge in one hand.

My mother turned.

"Dr. Penfield," Heidi said, "I know it isn't my place. But I treated her, and there's something you need to see before she goes."

"Intern, this is a family moment."

"It's a clinical one."

My mother's face closed. Nobody argued with her in her own hospital.

Then she looked at Heidi's eyes and she stopped.

"Five minutes," my mother said.

Heidi walked to the gurney, and the man in the gloves put a hand on the sheet.

"I'm not authorized to open this."

"I'm not asking you to open it," Heidi said. "I'm asking you to move."

He glanced at Chad.

Chad gave a very small shake of his head.

"Move," my mother said.

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