“Her cell counts are dropping by the hour.”

“The priority is getting accurate numbers before we authorize a single drop of expensive medicine,” Richard said.

He picked up his phone and opened a calculator app.

“I need the first consent form signed by noon,” Dr.

Grant said.

He left the packet on the table and walked out into the corridor.

My father started tapping numbers into his phone with quick jabs of his thumb.

I watched the screen flash large digits as he multiplied the totals.