Chapter 4 - NATALIE’S FIRST EXPLANATION
At the hospital, Dr. Elise Rowan examined Margaret.
Her findings were immediate.
Dehydration.
Malnutrition.
Improper medication levels.
A recent wrist injury.
No sign of the severe dementia described in Natalie’s reports.
“She is tired and frightened,” Dr. Rowan told Andrew. “That is not the same as being incapable.”
Andrew looked through the observation-room window.
Margaret slept beneath a clean blanket.
Her silver-gray hair had been gently brushed away from her face.
“When can I speak with her?”
“When she wakes. But do not pressure her.”
Natalie arrived carrying Margaret’s medical folder.
She placed it before Dr. Rowan.
“You have not seen how unstable she becomes at home.”
Dr. Rowan opened the folder.
“These records were signed by Dr. Simon Keats.”
“Yes.”
“When was her last in-person examination?”
“Two weeks ago.”
Margaret opened her eyes.
“No.”
Everyone turned toward her.
Dr. Rowan entered the room.
“Mrs. Wilson, do you remember meeting Dr. Keats?”
Margaret shook her head.
Natalie sighed.
“This is what she does. She forgets.”
Margaret looked directly at Andrew.
“I never met him.”
Natalie’s mouth tightened.
Andrew opened the medical folder.
Each report described appointments on dates when he was traveling.
Natalie had sent him summaries.
He had replied with the same sentence each time.
Thank you for handling this.
He had believed being informed meant being involved.
Now those words looked like evidence of his absence.
Natalie lowered her voice.
“Andrew, your mother resents me. She has never accepted our marriage.”
Margaret turned away.
“She says things to divide us.”
“Did she divide us by locking herself in that room?”
“I told you why I locked the door.”
“For her safety?”
“Yes.”
“For three nights?”
Natalie looked toward Margaret.
“She does not understand time.”
Dr. Rowan closed the medical file.
“I am ordering an independent cognitive assessment.”
Natalie’s expression cooled.
“I am her primary caregiver.”
“No,” Andrew said.
Natalie stared at him.
“You appointed me.”
“I trusted you.”
The difference settled between them.
Andrew removed Margaret’s medicine list from the folder.
Several dosages had been increased during the past six months.
One drug caused sedation and confusion when given in excessive amounts.
Dr. Rowan examined the list.
“Who authorized these changes?”
“Dr. Keats,” Natalie answered.
Margaret lifted one trembling hand.
“The green pills.”
Andrew approached her.
“What about them?”
“She gives me two when you call.”
Natalie stepped forward.
“That is enough.”
Andrew moved between them.
Margaret continued.
“They make me sleepy.”
May you like
Andrew looked at his wife.
“Why did my mother need to be asleep when I called?”
