The Pale Priest of the Mute People

     Seldom does the phone ring at that hour with good news.  Such was the case.  My Brother in law came and said the center just called and my sister had died.

     I was fully awake.  Got dressed and we left the house shortly afterwards.  Silence.  To be expected.  I made some light humor about how great the traffic was at that hour.

     We got there, didn't have to sign in.  They'd cleaned her and did her hair.  Was a shock to say the least.  Sunk in rather quickly.

     Apparently about 11:30 she had called the nurse for something.  They came in and she was sitting up.  The nurse left to get an aide and when they returned she was slumped over. Of course they did what they could.  Had E.M.T's come.  She was gone.  The hallways were deserted of inmates at that time.

     They would store her downstairs but we needed to make arrangements.  They didn't really have a morgue.  Brother in law took her wallet, phone, and IPad.  We went home.  I made no jokes about the traffic.

     There was little to do at that hour.  Said we could make calls at 5 to immediate family.  There was nothing anyone could do.  I left 2 messages with Dr.s that I'd made an appointment with that morning and afternoon.

     To their credit his brother and sister drove 2 hours and were there by 7 or 8.  That is about all the credit I will give them.

     We went to get the rest of her things.  His brother didn't like where I told him to park so he spent the rest of his time looking for parking.  It is tight in the mornings.  But seeing how they treated my sister I doubt there was much of an effort.

     His sister came in with us to clean out her belongings.  As I got there, her friends were there with sadness, confusion, and tears.

     Generally how it works is when something occurs no explanation is offered. They come and close your doors and tell you not to leave your room.

     Condolences were made.  I gave the explanation.  At one point one of the Dr.s came in.  He even told us that the insurance company had said on Monday that she was done.  He argued about her health. He won?