Chapter 10 - The Records Room
Nora's apartment smelled like coffee and laundry detergent. She made up her bed for me and slept on the couch without asking for thanks. At two in the morning, I woke to another quiet movement in my stomach. One kick, then another.
"Good girl," I whispered into the dark.
At nine, Nora drove me to the clinic. Marissa met us in a small conference room with a copy of the visitor packet. My name was on the top page. So was a signature made to resemble mine.
The packet listed Linda as an approved support person and requested that she receive appointment information. Another page attached Daniel's statement about my supposed emotional volatility.
"None of this came from me," I said.
Marissa documented my objection and said no outside access would be approved based on that packet. Dr. Patel joined us to confirm that medical decisions and visitors were mine to choose, subject to hospital safety policies.
"Can you tell who brought it in?" Nora asked.
Marissa glanced at the intake notation. "Daniel delivered it at the front desk."
My stomach felt hollow.
"He told me his mother made him do it," I said.
"We'll preserve the original," Marissa replied. "And I recommend that you discuss the signature issue with someone qualified to advise you."
Before leaving, I asked to correct the contact list. Nora would be my support person. Daniel could receive medical updates only with my permission. Linda would receive none.
In the parking lot, I called a local family-law attorney Nora knew, Camille Price. Her assistant scheduled a consultation and encouraged me to keep copies of messages and medical records.
"One more thing," I said. "The chair incident. Is there any video?"
Dr. Patel had told me the clinic maintained security cameras in public areas. Camille's office said they could send a preservation request immediately.
I thought of the elderly woman with her hand over her mouth. I wished I'd gotten her name.
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Then Tasha called from the clinic.
"Emily," she said, "there was a witness waiting for you at reception. She says she saw everything."
