I smoothed it with my thumb while fourteen homes emptied around us.

PART 5 — Three Dates and Four Red Marks

At 11:55 p.m., the paramedic checked the small monitor on my finger and asked again about dizziness, chest pain, and breathing.

I answered carefully.

I wanted to say no to everything, as though the correct answers would let me return to a simpler version of the evening.

Then I admitted how unsteady I had felt at the door.

They recommended further assessment at the hospital.