“That intake valve takes a deliberate quarter-turn to unlock.

It can’t come loose by accident or from a light touch.”

My mother made a sharp, barking sound in the back of her throat.

“I’m her grandmother,” my mother said, pulling her shoulders back.

“I have every right to check on my own family without being interrogated by hospital staff.”

“You don’t have the right to touch her machine,” I said.

“Are you really going to stand here and lie to these men?” my mother asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked at me.