28
THAT EVENING, VERENA returned to the hospital. Outside Mia’s hospital room, a commotion erupted in the hallway. “What on earth was that?” Mia looked alarmed. “Go see what’s happening.”
Verena hurried to the door. A patient had heaved a tray of food from a room into the hallway, and an attendant was cleaning it up while a nurse tried to reason with the patient. It was disgusting the way some people behaved. “Who would do that?”
At the same time, a nurse emerged from a room across the hall and called to another attendant. “It’s Mr. Roper again in room two twelve. I need your help.”
Verena stood rooted by the door, hardly believing what she’d heard. Glancing over her shoulder she said to Mia, “I’ll be right back.”
She sauntered down the hall, past the uproar, and caught a glimpse of t
