Hey, I'm in trouble
He doesn't know where he is
It might be some kind of bunker
He doesn't know who else is there, but he can hear them
They might be cops
They are plotting to harm him
They are plotting to harm me and my sister
He needs to get out of there
No, he's sure of it
Yes, he can see the TV on the wall
Yes, he can see the curtain to the right of his bedside
Yes, he can see the whiteboard with his name on it
Yes, he can see the date in the upper righthand corner
It is [April.] It is [June.] It is [August.] It is [October.] It is [December.] It is [Christmas Day.] It is [February.] It is [March.] It is [April again.] It is [May.] It is [June, again.] It is [July.]
The large yellow paper magnetized to the board says, fall risk
Dad, do you think I would lie to you?
That's right. I would never lie to you.
So you can trust me when I tell you that you're in the hospital
Yes, really. You're there because you [have sepsis.] You're there because [you went septic again.] You're there because you [were so weakened by the sepsis that you fell and broke your pelvis.] You're there because you [were so weakened by the stroke that was caused by the sepsis that you struggle to swallow, and you've developed aspiration pneumonia after eating dinner one evening.] You're there because you [developed aspiration pneumonia again. It's because you had a stroke. Yes, really. It occurred because you had sepsis.] You're there because you [have aspiration pneumonia again and are going to have a feeding tube installed in your intestine because it's no longer safe for you to eat or drink.] You're there because you [have to undergo emergency surgery because the new feeding tube caused a life-threatening bowel obstruction.] You're there because you [were so weakened by the last year that you're having trouble walking.] You're there because [you've been so weakened by the last year and a half that your heart might be giving out. Actually, your heart is doing okay. Turns out, it's your lungs that can no longer function.]
Everyone you can hear is trying to help you
I guess I just have to trust you
You can trust me.
You are safe. This is really hard. You are so strong
You're going to feel better as soon as we get you home
That's going to be so soon, Dad
I promise
