Across the middle section, in the attending doctor’s bold clinical handwriting, were the words: Patient father refused immediate transfer due to personal financial constraints.

Right below that line were the signature blocks for legal authority.

Daniel had signed his name in heavy black ink on the line marked Father or Primary Policyholder.

On the line directly under his signature, labeled Mother or Joint Guardian, my name was written in dark blue pen.

The slanted cursive copied the loop of my capital R, but the cross on the lowercase t was drawn half an inch above the stem, a habit Daniel always had when he signed checks in a hurry.

I opened the desk drawer, took out our joint checkbook, and set my real signature next to the pink sheet.