The smell of antiseptic was overwhelming, but Kate didn’t even wrinkle her nose. After eight weeks she was used to it. She took the stairs two at a time to the third floor. Left. Left. Left. Right. Kate walked the route to her sister’s room on autopilot.

“Hey chickita! I’ve got your lunch,” Kate announced as she unwrapped two crustless Cheez Whiz sandwiches. Her sister perked up. Kate didn’t know if it was her voice, or the Cheez Whiz. It didn’t matter. A smile was all she wanted.

As her sister slowly chewed the sandwiches, Kate looked around. The room was tidier. There were fresh flowers on the window sill. And someone had left a quilt over the side chair.

Kate turned to her sister and asked quizzically, “When was mom here?”