I arranged transport and kept her warm while I gathered her medicines, appointment calendar, and insurance card.

Lucas appeared at the basement door.

“Why are you treating this like an emergency?”

“Because the person who actually has medical needs is in this room,” I answered.

He looked at my mother and, for one brief instant, seemed embarrassed.

Then Derek shouted something about the game, and Lucas looked away.

PART 4: A Ride to the Clinic

At the clinic, Marian apologized to the nurse for wasting everyone’s time.