I Gave Away the Birthday Chocolates, Then the Screaming Started

automatic doors of the ER whooshing open like a mouth.

The smell hit me first.

Antiseptic and fear.

A nurse in bright blue scrubs walked straight up to me like she had been waiting. “Kendall?” she asked.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Come with me.”

The triage area blurred. Kids crying. Parents pacing. Monitors chirping their relentless songs. The nurse’s shoes squeaked continue reading …