2: 2
2.
After she left, I sank down onto the stool.
That room at the bend in the stairwell was right next to the restrooms.
In summer the smell got strong, and patients didn't want to stay there.
So it had always been kept as a backup room.
People coming and going all the time, and yet she called that spot quiet.
She'd probably noticed the security camera in that room was broken.
And it was tucked into a corner.
Close to the cleaners' break room.
Once she'd gotten friendly with my mother, it would be easy for my mother to drop by and see her on the way past.
A text came in confirming that what I'd asked for that afternoon could be installed.
I went to the break room.
My mother, her hair going gray, stood in the doorway holding a lunch box, waiting for me.
"Zoe, was I interrupting you just now?"
"I made dumplings. I was worried you wouldn't have time to go home, so I brought them over."
I took the lunch box from her hands and slid an arm around her shoulders as we headed into the break room.
I opened the box and the smell rose up warm.
Pork and mushroom.
"Eat up before the skins split. If they soak in the broth too long they'll break."
My mother laid out my utensils for me, the aromatic vinegar and the chili pepper.
Remembering how it all ended in my last life, my eyes stung and prickled.
"Mom, has any patient been trying to chat with you lately?"
One dumpling down, and the tears started to fall.
"No. I finish my work and go straight to the break room."
"Have I been causing you trouble, sweetie?"
Before the rest of it left my mouth—
Someone was pushing at the door, so I got up and opened it.
It was Grace Bishop.
She craned her neck, peering into the break room.
"Dr. Fox, my mother-in-law will be here soon. When can I switch rooms?"
Her eyes kept flicking into the room.
My mother was busy ladling dumplings for me and hadn't noticed anyone at the door.
"Once it's cleaned up, I'll have a nurse call you."
She let out a soft little "oh."
"Dr. Fox, are those dumplings you're eating? They smell wonderful."
And as she talked, she started to step inside.
I blocked her. "This is the doctors' break room. Patients aren't allowed in."
Before she could react, I shut the door with a sharp snap.
The sound startled my mother.
She came over. "Zoe, what's wrong?"
I listened to the footsteps fade down the hall.
Then I pulled the door half open and pointed at Grace's shuffling figure.
"Mom, that patient is Grace Bishop. She's in bed twenty-one. Do you remember her?"
She thought for a moment. "The day before yesterday, when she came in, I think I helped her carry some things."
"Has she tried to talk to you at all recently?"
My mother shook her head, and some of the weight in my chest eased.
"Mom, tomorrow she's moving into this corner room. It's very close to your break room. Promise me, whenever she tries to talk to you, no matter when, you tell me."
My mother looked at me, confused.
"And one more thing. She's due to give birth tomorrow night. After the baby comes, if she asks you to help watch it, you must not do it."
The confusion on her face deepened.
"Mom, trust me. You have to stay away from Grace Bishop."
My mother looked at Grace's frail figure and nodded.
The moment I sat back down on the couch to eat my dumplings,
I realized my whole back was soaked through.
Even though I'd prepared for it.
Even though I'd warned my mother in advance.
My frightened heart
was still hanging high.
