The machine made a small crunch each time, like stepping on frozen grass.

I wrote dates down the side of a yellow legal pad.

The crash at 10:43 p.m.

The first hospital call at 11:06 p.m.

The intake form signed at 11:24 p.m.

Charles had written my dead number in his own hand at 11:24, nine days before I landed.

I circled it twice.

Elena’s call log went behind the third tab.