Rose lay in the hospital bed with an oxygen tube, a neck brace, and an IV drip line.
The heart monitor off to one side beeped monotonously. A green hospital cap covered her head in lieu of her turban.
A nurse adjusted the dial connected to the IV tube. Dr. Norris checked Rose’s pulse, then lifted each eyelid and looked at each pupil with a penlight. He picked up the patient’s chart from the wheeled food tray, skimmed over it, and jotted down some notes.
“What is her current status, Dr. Norris?” the nurse asked.
“Her condition is critical,” he said. “But with a little progress, her condition may be upgraded to serious.”