Vance hadn’t specifically asked for her history from the surrounding counties, that first visit would have stayed completely hidden.

Richard hadn’t forgotten his insurance card.

He’d driven thirty miles to bury the visit.

I sat by myself in the bedroom, holding the receipt that showed three hundred fifty dollars paid in cash to keep it off the insurance records.

At eight forty-five, I parked in the hospital garage.

The morning air was sharp and cold on my face.

I carried my purse and the yellow billing notice up the concrete stairs to the second floor.

A few patients were already sitting in the chairs along the hallway.