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Sybilla hadn't been gone half an hour when Grandma started shaking in her sleep.
I threw her clothes on her and carried her down the stairs on my back.
She was all bones now, nothing left of her.
But by the time I reached the bottom, I was drenched in sweat.
At the hospital I did it all alone. Stood in line, registered her, paid, picked up the test slips.
By the time the results came back, my shirt was soaked through.
The nurse only told me,
"The neurology specialist's slots are all full."
"The best I can do is general clinic. There are more than twenty people ahead of you."
I lowered my voice and begged. "She just went confused out of nowhere, and she won't stop trembling. Could someone please have a specialist take one quick look?"
The nurse shook her head, sorry but firm. That was when a familiar voice came from behind me.
"Add a slot for Dr. Cobb's list, please."
Sybilla walked up with Malcolm Weiss and his mother.
She spoke to the nurse, polite as ever.
"This is my student's mother."
"I've already spoken with Dr. Cobb. Just send her straight in."
The nurse opened the exam room door for them at once.
I stood where I was, and all at once I was back in the year Grandma was first diagnosed.
For days I couldn't get a specialist slot, and finally I called Sybilla.
She knew that specialist well. She didn't say a word for me.
"It's because you're my boyfriend that I have to keep even more distance."
"A hospital has its rules."
"If everyone jumped the line through connections, what happens to the ordinary patients?"
I was disappointed, but I was still proud of her principles.
After that I went to the hospital at four in the morning and held my place for two full days before I finally got Grandma that specialist slot.
Only now did I understand. Those principles of hers were never something that couldn't be broken.
I just wasn't worth breaking them for.
Malcolm saw me.
Holding his mother up, he put on a troubled face.
"Nick, you brought your grandmother in too?"
"Why don't we give this slot to her instead."
"My mom's just a little dizzy. She can wait a bit."
But Sybilla frowned.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"This is the first time your aunt has had these symptoms. We have to rule out anything dangerous right away."
Only then did she look at me, her tone as calm as ever.
"Your grandmother's had this illness for years now. A little longer won't hurt."
"Wait outside for now. Once Malcolm's mother is done, I'll ask about getting a slot added for you."
I looked at her, and something in me made me smile.
"Fine."
Her face eased a little. "Good. At least you know what matters more."
So the "what matters more" she talked about had never been about who was sicker. It was only ever about whether the one hurting was Malcolm.
She helped Malcolm's mother into the exam room.
Malcolm walked in beside her and glanced back at me.
There was a smugness in his eyes he didn't bother to hide.
The exam room door closed in my face.
Grandma tipped her head up, dazed.
"Nicholas, let's go home..."
I gripped her cold hand.
"Grandma, a little longer."
"From now on we'll find a different home."
Two weeks ago the company had asked me to go overseas and take charge of a new project.
There happened to be a rehabilitation center over there that cared specifically for dementia patients.
I couldn't bear to give up seven years with Sybilla, so I'd never answered.
In that moment, I opened my email and pressed accept.
Then I bought two plane tickets for three days out.
One was mine.
One was Grandma's.
Until the day we left.
Seventy-two hours remained.
Three days from now was supposed to be the day I married her. Instead it had become the day she lost me for good.
