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A sense of comfort washes over me as he wraps an arm around my waist.
We walk side by side as we head toward the entrance of the hospital.
Passing through metal detectors, we're both relieved when they don't go off. Surprised, yet relieved. I assumed Ivar would have some sort of weapon on him.
The lobby of the hospital is vast, but there are gold ropes that lead us down a maroon carpet lined path to the visitor check-in area.
An older brunette sits behind the desk with old-fashioned librarian style glasses. She's chatting with the visitor ahead of us, and once they're done, she waves us over.
The two of us approach her, "Hello, I need both of your identifications, please."
I reach for my phone and slide out my driver's license from its slot in its case, while Ivar digs out his wallet and pulls his out.
He hands it to me and I pass it through the small slot to the woman.
She reads over our IDs and smiles, "Starla, I believe we spoke on the phone yesterday."
"Angela?" I confirm.
Her smile widens, "Yes, that's me. I hope your trip went smoothly."
"It did, thank you." I say, making friendly conversation.
Glancing behind her, Angela addresses an older man sitting at a nearby table.
"LeRoy, I'm taking Starla and Ivar up to her mother's room. Can you handle the fort?"
LeRoy nods silently in response.
Ivar and I share an amused glance as Angela walks out from behind the check-in area and hands us two sticky badges that read 'visitor'.
We put them on our chests and follow Angela as she leads us through the hospital.
"I swear, that man is good for nothing. I live with him you know, because his wife died and he needed some company. It's like pulling hair out trying to get him to do anything. So, I had him volunteer to help here, and you see how great that's going,"
Her chatter might seem meaningless, but it's surprisingly calming my nerves.
She continues going on as we get in the elevator and she takes us to room 417. Angela takes us right up to the doorframe and looks at me. "Did you want me to fetch her doctor, or nurse so you can chat with them?"
"Starla?" My mother's voice is strained and barely audible.
I had it in my head that she wasn't going to be able to say anything to me, and suddenly, I want to talk to her this instant.
"Whenever they're able to come around is okay. I don't want to be a bother." I force a smile and glance over to my mother,
She's frail as can be, skin sunken in, and stress lines covering her forehead.
She's a shell of the woman she used to be.
Angela reassures me, "You're not a bother at all. I'll leave you two to have some time with her."
Angela leaves the doorframe and begins to walk down the hallway.
Suddenly, speaking to her one-on-one doesn't seem like such a great feat.
Turning to face Ivar, I make a request. "I know I made you promise not to leave me, but I want to talk to her by myself."
He nods in understanding. "I get it, sweet girl. I'll be down the hall in the waiting room if you need me, okay?"
