Chapter 19: Triage

Kirk's POV

I left Matilda in the waiting room with a paper cup of bad coffee and went through the staff door in my street clothes.

The charge nurse looked at me, looked at the clipboard in her hand, and decided not to see me.

Mrs. Koehler lay in bay four with the rail up and a monitor over her head.

She looked smaller than she had in the sunroom.

Her left hand lay open on the blanket, and the corner of her mouth was slower than the right.

"Mr. Lanigan," she said. The words came out careful and a little wet.

"Mrs. Koehler."

"Don't fuss."

"I won't."

I read the chart anyway.

It was a transient episode.

Her scan was clean, her pressure was high but coming down, and the doctor wanted her overnight.

I told her that in plain words, and she listened with her eyes closed.

"I felt it come on at tea," she said. "My cup didn't want to stay in my hand."

"You did the right thing, calling."

"I called my lawyer first."

"I know."

"Then I called the ambulance, because she wouldn't come until I did." Her good hand found my sleeve and held it. "Where is Matilda?"

"Waiting room. I told her you're all right."

"Don't let her see me yet. I look terrible."

"You look fine."

"You are a poor liar, which I like."

The curtain moved.

A woman in a gray suit slipped through, carrying a leather folder under her arm.

She was Mrs. Koehler's lawyer, and she had the look of someone who had driven fast.

"Mrs. Koehler," the lawyer said. "You scared me."

"I scared myself." Mrs. Koehler lifted her chin. "Is it ready?"

"It's ready."

"Then Mr. Lanigan will witness."

I took a step back.

"I'm not family."

"That is the entire reason."

The lawyer took out two sheets and a pen.

She laid them on the bedside tray where I could see the top lines.