Neither of them looked back at the bed or offered to wait with me.

The orderly arrived five minutes later with a wide transport wheelchair.

I sat on the plastic seat and let him wheel me out of the pediatric ward.

The harsh chemical smell of antiseptic floor cleaner burned the back of my throat.

We passed the cafeteria and the billing department on the way to the elevators.

I watched the hospital staff drinking coffee and talking about their weekend plans.

Everything felt completely normal to them.