I was not keeping the hospital’s clinical record.

I was making a record of my observations that staff could compare with theirs.

That distinction became important later.

At ten forty-five, I met Marlene in the cafeteria.

She was Victor’s sister, and I expected her to tell me to stop worrying before she told me to eat.

She pushed half her toast onto my plate instead.

“You need something.”

“So do you.”