Clara watched it go.

“The hospital deposit came back yesterday,” she said.

The optional private-room charge had been reconciled with the billing, and the $450 was returned.

A sum I had once associated with urgently trying to make one safe corner in a terrible night had become an ordinary refund.

“Do you want it in your account?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Then we’ll put it there.”

She took a sip of coffee.