“A maid’s daughter helped an old man every day — until a general suddenly walked in with five military officers…”

We are lucky Mr. Henderson lets you stay. Don’t make him regret it. Do not touch anything. Do not under any circumstances bother the patients. Emma was good at following the rules. She was a quiet girl with pale blonde hair and watchful eyes. She observed the world. She saw the head nurse, Nurse Jacobs, who always seemed angry. Nurse Jacobs had a permanent frown and always seemed to be scolding someone. This is a hospital, not a playground. She would snap if she saw Emma in the hallway. Then there was George, the orderly. George was a large, kind man who had a habit of whistling.  He would often accidentally drop a small bag of chips or an apple near the supply closet door around 400 p.m. “Floor’s dirty. Better get that before I sweep it up,” he’d mutter, never looking at her. Emma’s life was about being quiet, about not being a problem. Her mother worked so hard.

Mary’s hands were red and raw from the cleaning chemicals. At night, Emma would watch her mother fall asleep in her armchair, too tired to even walk to her own bed. Emma knew her mother was worried about money. The whispers on the phone late at night were always about bills, the rent, the car, the past due notices. Emma’s family had a history of being strong.In their small apartment, there was one picture frame that was always kept clean. It showed a young man in a uniform from a long, long time ago. That’s your greatgrandfather, Mary had told her once. Elias Carter. He was a hero. He fought in the big war. Emma loved that picture. He looked brave.