He had forged my signature while Grace sat in the emergency exam room with a six-centimeter pelvic mass.

I took my phone out of my coat pocket and called the direct night line for the St.

Jude Community Hospital triage desk.

Nurse Paula Jenkins answered on the third ring, her gentle voice clear over the speaker despite the hum of hospital equipment behind her.

“Emergency triage, Nurse Jenkins speaking.”

“Paula, this is Rebecca Mitchell,” I said, holding the pink carbon sheet close to the lampshade.

“I have an Against Medical Advice refusal form from October twelfth for my daughter, Grace.”