PART 9: The Empty Bed

The hallway outside Hannah’s room felt unfamiliar even though I could have walked it in the dark.

I knew which ceiling panel rattled when the air system turned on.

I knew which vending machine stole quarters and which nurse preferred decaf tea.

I knew the scratch on the wall outside the room where someone had once wheeled a cart too close to the corner.

I knew everything except how to enter the room without her.