a questioning look.
“I want it exactly where it is.”
The nurse nodded and went out.
I picked up the first page and read the heading again. It referred to temporary family arrangements, but the signature space beneath it carried my name.
I turned the page.
The second page had another signature line.
I stopped there.
The hallway door opened, and Mike stepped into view.
He was carrying a small notebook and speaking with the nurse.
“She came in under the approved guest list,” he said. “That part is clear.”
The nurse nodded.
“She is still refusing to leave.”
Mike looked at me.
“Do you want her visitor access stopped?”
“Yes.”
He wrote something down.
“Then we will document the request and keep the room secured.”
Vivian appeared at the end of the hall before he could leave.
“Mike, surely this is unnecessary.”
Mike turned toward her.
“The nurse asked
me to verify the visitor record.”
“I am an approved visitor.”
“You were.”
Vivian looked at me.
“Elena, tell him.”
I kept my eyes on Mike.
“I asked for the room to be secured.”
Mike nodded.
“That is enough.”
Vivian’s mouth tightened.
“I only came to help.”
“I understand,” Mike said. “I am still asking you to follow the visitor rules.”
She looked at the nurse.
“Does she really need all this protection from me?”
The nurse did not answer.
Mike closed his notebook.
“I am asking you to leave before anyone has to make this official.”
Vivian looked at him for several seconds.
“You know who I am.”
“I know you are a visitor.”
Her face changed slightly at that.
She turned toward the elevator.
“I will be back when Daniel returns.”
Mike did not respond.
The elevator doors opened, and Vivian stepped inside with the blue folder still
