Если я останусь

           OnceshecomesoutoftheICUandseesallofusinthehall,she’llbetoobusydealingwithustonoticethatAdamhasslippedinside."

           BrookeappraisesKim.Kiminherrumpledblackpantsandunflatteringsweater.ThenBrookesmilesandlinksarmswithmybestfriend."Soundslikeaplan.Let’smotor,kids."

           Ilagbehind,watchingthisprocessionofhipstersbarrelthroughthelobby.Thesheernoisinessofthem,oftheirheavyboots,andloudvoices,buzzedonbytheirsenseofurgency,ricochetsthroughthequiethushofthehospitalandbreathessomelifeintotheplace.IrememberwatchingaTVprogramonceaboutold-agehomesthatbroughtincatsanddogstocheertheelderlyanddyingpatients.Maybeallhospitalsshouldimportgroupsofrabble-rousingpunkrockerstokick-startthelanguishingpatients’hearts.

           Theystopinfrontoftheelevator,waitingendlesslyforoneemptyenoughtoferrythemupasagroup.IdecidethatIwanttobenexttomybodywhenAdammakesittotheICU.IwonderifIwillbeabletofeelhistouchonme.Whiletheywaitattheelevatorbanks,Iscrambleupthestairs.

           I’vebeengonefromtheICUformorethantwohours,andalothaschanged.Thereisanewpatientinoneoftheemptybeds,amiddle-agedmanwhosefacelookslikeoneofthosesurrealistpaintings:halfofitlooksnormal,handsomeeven,theotherhalfisamessofblood,gauze,andstitching,likesomeonejustblewitoff.Maybeagunshotwound.Wegetalotofhuntingaccidentsaroundhere.