My heart lurched.
My time was up.
There were more papers underneath.
I slid everything back exactly where I found it and smoothed the sheet.
The toilet flushed.
My heart lurched.
My time was up.
There were more papers underneath.
I slid everything back exactly where I found it and smoothed the sheet.
The toilet flushed.

I grabbed the water pitcher off Ben’s tray and pretended to pour.
Ben shuffled out, IV pole clicking beside him.
“Are you sure you’re okay, baby?” he asked. “You look a little green.”
“I’m fine,” I said. “I told you, I’m just tired.”
“Come here.”
I slid everything back exactly where I found it
He patted the edge of the bed.
I sat, and he took my hand in his.
It took everything in me not to yank it back.
I looked at the man I had loved for twenty years.
And realized I did not know him at all.
It took everything in me not to yank it back.
Ben urged me to go home and rest again, and I went.