But Vivian had been calling it a VIP room since she learned I would not share it.

“Give one of the twins to my daughter,” she said.

“She’s waited long enough.”

Karen’s difficulty having children had become a grievance Vivian carried as though someone else’s baby could settle it.

I would not repeat the cruel word she sometimes used for her daughter.

Karen was a person, not a medical label, and my children were not compensation owed to her.

I reached toward the call button.