Chapter 2 - A Nurse Who Wouldn't Look Away
"Open the door, Claudia."
"Lower your voice. She's fragile."
"Then stop threatening her."
Sara tugged at my sleeve. "Don't leave me alone with her."
I pulled my phone out, dialed the hospital's emergency extension listed on the bedside card, and described the locked door. Claudia reached for the phone. I stepped sideways. I didn't touch her. I had spent enough years in uniform to know a confrontation could become her story instead of Sara's.
A minute later someone knocked hard. "Nursing supervisor. Open this door."
Claudia unlocked it with an offended sigh. "This is ridiculous."
The woman who entered wore teal scrubs and a badge reading JULIA RUIZ, RN. She took in Sara's wet cheeks, Claudia's tight smile, and me beside the bed.
"I need to speak to the patient privately," Julia said. "Both visitors outside, please."
"I'm her granddaughter-in-law," Claudia protested.
"That doesn't change the request."
In the hallway I told Julia what I'd seen. She didn't promise miracles. She called a physician, asked security to keep Claudia away from the room, and documented my concern. Then she brought me back because Sara had asked for me by name.
Dr. Vega reviewed the medications at the foot of the bed. "Your grandmother became unusually sleepy after admission," he said. "We're reviewing every order."
"Can you tell me why?"
"Not until we know. But you were right to speak up."
Claudia was arguing with a guard by the elevators when Julia handed me a small plastic bag. Inside was the bracelet Sara had worn since my grandfather died. The clasp was broken.
"She asked me to give you this," Julia said.
I turned the bracelet over. Beneath the little silver saint, a tightly folded strip of paper had been tucked into the lining. Sara had written in the shaky capitals she used when her hands hurt.
DO NOT LET THEM SELL THE COURTYARD. ASK PILAR ABOUT THURSDAY.
May you like
I looked up toward the elevators.
Claudia had stopped arguing. She was watching the bracelet in my hands as if it were a live wire.
