I pull in to the Kaiser hospital drive and drive hysterically through the parking garage. The BMW coupe in front of me is in no hurry, and slowing down for every car he thinks might be pulling out. I honk my horn angrily. I want to scream to him, “My mother stopped breathing!!! Let me pass!!!”
Finally, a spot. I stand at the cross point between the elevator and the stairs. ‘Which one?’ I can’t decide. Which would be faster? I finally choose the elevator. I am wearing boots, with heels. Stairs would take longer.
In the elevator is a woman wearing scrubs.
“Where is the ER?” I asked.
“Straight out of the elevator, you’ll see it.”
I run out of the elevator. Run through the parking lot, in what seemed like the longest journey of my life. Through the ER doors to the desk.
“May I help you?” the security guard asks.
“My mom…” I can’t catch my breath. “Is in there.”
[...] hands were shaking the whole way to the hospital. It was completely surreal and shocking seeing her that way. The longest day becomes the longest [...]
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