“The hospital requires a formal discharge consultation.”

Richard stood by the door with the thick legal envelope tucked firmly under his arm.

He tapped his leather shoe on the linoleum floor.

“The transport orderly will take you down,” Richard said.

He checked his pockets to make sure he had his car keys.

“We’ll meet you in the ground floor lobby.”

I watched them walk out of Room 314 together.

They moved in perfect step, like business partners closing a merger.