I could hear hushed voices coming from the corridor near the central nurses’ station.

I carefully pushed myself up against the angled pillows.

My father was pacing back and forth across the polished floor tiles.

“It’s completely out of the question,” Richard said.

“We have to make a choice tonight or they’ll cancel her room assignment,” Linda said.

“The hospital administrator called my cell phone during dinner.”

“The choice is already made,” Richard said.

I kept completely still and listened to the sharp echo of his voice bouncing off the walls.