SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHO I WAS—BUT SHE REFUSED TO LET GO
I hadn’t planned on staying so long. My goal was simple—escort my grandmother for a few medical exams and then head out by midday. But the lab had delays, her blood pressure dropped slightly, and suddenly, five hours had passed in the crowded reception area. It wasn’t cold inside, but she felt chilly. I draped my coat over her knees and suggested getting her some water. She didn’t respond. Instead, she nestled closer to me, as if seeking comfort. I could almost hear the thunder of my childhood storms, those