Если я останусь

           I’llmissherbutI’mgladshe’llbeabletogetawayfromme,fromthisplace.I’dliketogetaway,too.IthinkIwill.Ithinkit’sjustamatteroftime—offiguringouthowtoletgo.

           Ihaven’tbeenbackinmybedfifteenminuteswhenWillowshowsup.Shemarchesthroughthedoubledoorsandgoestospeaktotheonenursebehindthedesk.Idon’thearwhatshesays,butIhearhertone:it’spolite,soft-spoken,butleavingnoroomforquestions.Whensheleavestheroomafewminuteslater,there’sachangeintheair.Willow’sinchargenow.Thegrumpynurseatfirstlookspissedoff,likeWhoisthiswomantotellmewhattodo?Butthensheseemstoresign,tothrowherhandsupinsurrender.It’sbeenacrazynight.Theshiftisalmostover.Whybother?Soon,meandallofmynoisy,pushyvisitorswillbesomebodyelse’sproblem.

           Fiveminuteslater,Willowisback,bringingGranandGrampswithher.Willowhasworkedalldayandnowsheishereallnight.Iknowshedoesn’tgetenoughsleeponagoodday.IusedtohearMomgivehertipsforgettingthebabytosleepthroughthenight.

           I’mnotsurewholooksworse,meorGramps.Hischeeksaresallow,hisskinlooksgrayandpapery,andhiseyesarebloodshot.Gran,ontheotherhand,looksjustlikeGran.Nosignofwearandtearonher.It’slikeexhaustionwouldn’tdaremesswithher.Shebustlesrightovertomybed.

           "You’vesuregotusonaroller-coasterridetoday,"Gransayslightly.