Lauren

Natalie stops by before heading to work, and she looks like a completely different person. She has already been off for the past few days, but today, it seems like she barely managed to get out of bed. It is clear things are getting worse.

“Sorry, I can’t stay. I’m running late. I slept in,” she mumbles, her voice heavy with fatigue.

I give her a quick once-over. Her ponytail is thrown together, with loose strands falling into her face. The redness in her eyes, along with the dark circles under them, makes the exhaustion written all over her even more apparent. Her scrubs, usually crisp and clean, are so wrinkled they look like they were pulled out of the dryer a week too late. This is not the Natalie I know.

“Are you alright? You look awful.” I gently take her arm and ease her down beside me.

“I’m just tired,” she says, rubbing her eyes. She is trying to hold it together, but it is not working.

“You didn’t sleep?”

“I actually slept more than usual,” she says slowly. “It felt good, but…”

“But what?”

“It’s everything,” she says, her voice cracking. “The stalker, Brian’s fall, Frances’s death… It’s too much. I couldn’t even focus on work. And now Mason doesn’t believe me. Honestly, I’m starting to doubt myself too.”

I notice her arms trembling. I lean closer and place my hand over hers to steady her.

“Look,” I say gently, but firmly. “We’ve lost residents before while caring for them. It’s tragic, but it happens. This wasn’t the first time someone passed unexpectedly, and it won’t be the last. And Brian’s fall? That was not your fault. As for Renee, shut her out. Let her stew in her own drama. She is not worth your time. As for the stalker, once I’m out of here, I’ll handle it. You’ve got enough on your plate.”

She looks uncertain, but I catch a flicker of relief in her eyes.

“When do you think you’ll be discharged?”

“I’m not sure yet. They’re keeping Logan under observation for at least another week. And my back pain is worse than they thought. My blood pressure’s still high too. Looks like we’ll be here for a while longer.”

“How’s Logan doing?”

“He’s better. Getting stronger every day.”

“I wish I could see him.”

“You will. Tomorrow we’ll go to the nursery together. They’ve started letting visitors in now.”

“That’s great,” she says, sounding a little steadier. “I’ve got to go. I’m getting late.” She stands and gives me a quick hug.

Suddenly, Maria steps in through the door. “Lauren, they want you in the nursery,” she says.

“Could I get a wheelchair and someone to help me over there?” I ask.

Maria gives me a concerned look. “What happened? Are you alright?”

“My back’s acting up. It hurts like hell. Could you please arrange one?” I ask again. She studies me for a second, then nods and steps out.

Natalie glances up from her phone, checking the time. “You going to be okay?” she asks.

“I’m fine. Just one of those days,” I say, then return the question. “What about you? You going to be okay?”

She gives me a faint, sad smile.

“You’re late. You should go,” I tell her.

She nods, says goodbye, and walks out.

I watch her go. She is never late for work. That kind of thing really throws her off, especially with her OCD. But she still came. She made the effort. I appreciate that. She is the only one who visits me here. I do not keep in touch with my family, and after my breakup with Mason, I shut most people out of my life. Natalie knows that, and she makes sure I am not left on my own.

Still, I sometimes wonder if what she is doing now is really enough to make up for everything she did before.