,,PROLOGUE ,,HELP+ ,,MAMA ,,DIE-- ,,DON'T ,,MESS ,,) ,,TEXAS ,,WOM5 ,X 0 ONLY AB TWO MON?S AF %E SIGN$ H] ,LIV+ ,W T ,MAMA _H ! TWO /ROKES T WD *ANGE ! LIVES ( "EYBODY :O LOV$ H]4 ,:5 ,I CALL$ H] AB SIGN+ H] ,LIV+ ,W1 ,I 0 HOP+ %E WD SAY %E ALR _H "O4 ,L MO/ P1 %E ASSUM$ T S9CE %E _H GIV5 H] DOCTOR V]BAL 9/RUC;NS 3C]N+ H] WI%ES T %E _H D"O ALL %E 0 SUPPOS$ 6D4 ,AF ALL1 H] PHYSICIAN _H PLAY$ FOOTBALL ) H] SONS & _H SP5T M "T AT \R H\SE GR[+ UP ?AN 9 8 [N HOME4 ,MY "M _H *ANG$ 8 DIAP]S & SPANK$ 8 BUTT M "TS ?AN HE WD H LIK$ 6REMEMB]4 ,SURELY1 %E CD RELY ON HM 6C>RY \ H] WI%ES4 ,I PO9T$ \ 6H] T S9CE %E _H _H "O MAJOR HE>T ATTACK & QUADRUPLE BYPASS SURG]Y1 T %E MIE WRITT5 D[N4 8,WELL10 %E SD1 8,I'M SURE Y H "O ALL FILL$ \ & M>K$ ": ,I'M SUPPOS$ 6SIGN40 8,YES1 MA'AM10 ,I REPLI$4 ,I 0 GLAD %E _H N ASK$ ME IF OR :Y ,I _H A S5SE ( URG5CY AB H] SIGN+ H] ,LIV+ ,W4 ,I AM "O ( ^? P :O H :AT MO/ ( U CALL 8PREMONI;NS40 ,WE ALL H !M 6"S EXT5T4 ,H[ _M "TS H Y SD1 = EXAMPLE1 8,I _H A FEEL+ ? WDN'T "W \10 OR 8,I J DON'T ?9K %E'S ! "R "O = HM80 ,UNTIL ,I 2GAN WRIT+ ? BOOK1 H["E1 ,I _H N"E TOLD ANYBODY AB MY PREMONI;NS1 NOR _H ,I "E ATTEMPT$ 6ANALYZE :Y ,I ?"\ ,I _H !M OR ": !Y CAME F4 ,I REF] 6! =CE T MAKES MY PREMONI;NS POSSI# Z 8GU>DIAN ANGELS40 7,SEE ! ,9TRODUC;N ( ? BOOK1 OR ! *APT]S ON GU>DIAN ANGELS47 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6TELL H] MY GU>DIAN ANGELS 7 W>N+ ME V /R;GLY T %E _H V LL "T LEFT4 ,I WANT$ H] 65JOY :AT LL "T %E _H4 ,L MO/ ( U1 ,I DON'T H PREMONI;NS V (T51 B :5 ,I D1 !Y >E USU,Y "R4 ,I _H1 ON S"EAL SEP>ATE O3A.NS1 PR$ICT$ ! D1?S ( MY "F1 MY GR&"F1 MY "F'S BE/ FR1 &! D1?S ( S"EAL DOGS T ,I LOV$4 ,Z ON ^? O3A.NS1 ,I KEPT ! K 3C]N+ UPCOM+ D1? 6MYF4 ,I MADE X A PO9T 6TR1T ! ISSUE CASU,Y :5 %E 9=M$ ME T %E _H J RETURN$ F H] LAWY]'S (FICE AF SIGN+ H] ,LIV+ ,W4 8,DAMN10 ,I M\RN$ 6MYF AF HANG+ UP ! PH"O1 8,I MISS H] ALR40 ,AB TWO MON?S AF T 3V]S,N TOOK PLACE1 %E _H ! F/ ( TWO /ROKES4 ,! F/ /ROKE %E _H 0 R MILD4 ,%E CD SP1K1 ?\< N V WELL1 NOD H] H1D & ANSW] ! "QS ! M$ICAL PR(ES.NALS L 6ASK S* Z1 8,:AT'S YR "N80 & 8,:O IS ! PRESID5T80 ,WE TRANSF]R$ H] 6A ,H\/ON HOSPITAL S %E CD H A3ESS 6A ,,CT SCAN & 2G9 REHABILIT,N4 ,X 0 AB A WEEK AF T T %E _H1 Z ,R$ ,FOXX US$ 6SAY1 8! BIG "O40 ,I 0 AT "W :5 ,I GOT ! CALL4 8,HURRY10 "O ( MY BRO!RS SD1 8!Y EXPECT H] 6QUIT BR1?+ PRETTY SOON40 ,%E DIDN'T /OP BR1?+2 X WD H BE5 BETT] IF %E _H4 ,I TOOK (F "W & /AY$ ) H] =A WEEK 9 ,H\/ON4 ,! ,,ICU /AFF GOT 6"K ME & WD LET ME H EXTRA VISITS IF ,I 0 "! DUR+ NON-VISIT+ H\RS4 ,!Y AL LE>N$ T ,I ALW MADE X A PO9T 6KEEP A POT ( C(FEE ON 9 ! PATI5T WAIT+ >EA4 ,WE PUT A PIECE ( TAPE ON ! C ( DECAF 7: ,I REFUS$ 6MAKE7 S T Z A BL P]SON1 ,I CD TELL ! DI6];E 2T DECAF &! 8R1L0 C ( C(FEE4 ,!Y 7 "S:AT SURPRIS$ 64COV] T BL P CD MAKE C(FEE4 ,S WE A4$ A PIECE ( TAPE 6! GRE5 POT T NORM,Y HELD ! DECAF C(FEE S ,I CD MAKE T1 TOO1 & P\R X 96! "R POT Z OPPOS$ 6P\R+ X 96! CLE> "O : ALW HELD ! 8R1L C(FEE40 ,Z ,I SD 2F ,I H BE5 TOT,Y BL & ,I H N"E SE5 ANY?+4 ,MY BL;S IS NO BIG D1L 6ME4 ,I D1 H["E1 5JOY ! PROCESS ( $UCAT+ ! PUBLIC AB X4 ,6! "Q1 8,D Y BAKE COOKIES1 TOO801 ,I REPLI$1 8,YES1 MA'AM40 ,M1N:ILE1 ,MAMA KEPT ON BR1?+1 & BR1?+1 & BR1?+1 & BR1?+4 ,WE F9,Y TRANSF]R$ H] 6A FACIL;Y 9 H] HOMET[N1 ?9K+ T IF %E GOT BACK "!1 %E WD RELAX & L1VE H] BODY4 ,%E WD H DI$ 9 P1CE !N1 IF ! TUBE FE$+S _H N BE5 />T$4 ,X IS N 5 6H A ,LIV+ ,W4 ,PROP] C\NSEL+ %D G AL;G )! ,LIV+ ,W4 ,AL? MY "M _H A ,LIV+ ,W1 ! OP;N 6D5Y TUBE FE$+S 0 N"E PRES5T$ 6MY BRO!RS OR ME 0ANY M$ICAL PR(ES.NAL4 ,I _C SAY = SURE T ! PHYSICIAN MY "M _H BABYSAT = Z A * DIDN'T PRES5T ! OP;N ( N TUBE FE$+ 6MY BRO!RS4 ,I C SAY1 H["E1 T ,,NO ,,"O 9 *>GE ( MY "M'S M$ICAL C>E "E TOLD ,,ME T WE DID N H 6TUBE FE$ MY "M4 ,NOVEMB] DRIFT$ 96,DECEMB]1 !N 96,JANU>Y4 ,DUR+ T "T1 ,I FELT Z IF ,I 7 2+ RUN OV] 0BIG TRUCKS1 E "D1 ALL ! "T4 ,MY FULL-"T JOB Z A ,* ,SUPPORT ,(FIC] =! ,/ATE ( ,TEXAS 0 V /RESS;L4 ,ON ! WEEK5DS1 ,I WD CAT* ! BUS TWO H\RS EA* WAY 6& F MY HOMET[N 6G 6! NURS+ HOME 6SEE ,MAMA4 ,MY ROOMMATE1 ,LONNEY ,WAGES1 DROVE ME HOME "O WEEK5D & MADE A SEEM+LY CASUAL SU7ES;N T WD MAKE ! VISITS 6! NURS+ HOME M* EASI]4 ,X 0 S* A PRETTY "D T HE SU7E/$ WE TAKE ,MAMA \TSIDE4 ,X BROKE UP ! R\T9E1 : 0 GD 2C ,I HATE ! SMELL ( NURS+ HOMES1 EV5 CL1N "OS S* Z ! "O 9 : ,MAMA RESID$4 ,SITT+ \TSIDE ) H] "UN1? ! BIG %ADE TREES 0 M* M PL1SANT ?AN 2+ COOP$ UP 9SIDE4 ,AF T VISIT1 A PATT]N 0 E/ABLI%$1 &1 W1!R P]MITT+1 ,MAMA & ,I WD ALW SIT \TSIDE4 ,^! TRIPS 7 Z H>D ON MY SI :ILE ,I 0 ) ,MAMA1 HE SD1 8,AUNDREA1 ,I REMEMB] :5 YR MAMA CD DRIVE = TWO H\RS 6-E SEE Y1 TAKE Y %OPP+1 VACUUM ! H\SE1 G \ 6EAT ) U1 DR9K A LL W9E1 WAT* A MOVIE ON ,,TV1 & / N 2 TIR$4 ,N[ %E C'T D ANY?+ B BR1!4 ,%E C'T EV5 BL9K = ,8YES0' & ,8NO0'4 ,I C'T /& 6SEE H] L %E IS N[40 ,HE SD HE CDN'T /& 6SEE ME CAT* ! BUS 0MYF E WEEK5D1 EI1 S EV5 AF HE MOV$ \ ( MY H\SE1 HE WD MAKE ! TRIP ) ME AB ONCE A MON?4 ,LONNEY US$ 6BE A S.D MAN = _M 5T]TA9]S1 9CLUD+ ,WILLIE ,NELSON1 &1 ON ^? TRIPS1 HE WD MAKE X A PO9T 6TELL ME FUNNY /ORIES T TOOK PLACE 2H ! SC5ES 9 ! MUSIC 9DU/RY4 ,8 -PANY & TAK+ ,MAMA \TSIDE MADE ! VISITS 6! NURS+ HOME ALM BE>A#4 ,ANO!R ?+ T MADE ! VISITS 6! NURS+ HOME ALM BE>A# 0 ! ADV5T (! PUPPIES4 ,I WAS1 Z WE SAY 9 ! BL -MUN;Y1 82T DOGS10 M1N+ T ,I 0 EI WAIT+ ON A LI/ 6GET ANO!R DOG GUIDE1 OR TRY+ 6DECIDE IF ,I WANT$ ANO!R DOG AT ALL4 ,I A*$ =! -PANY (A L>GE DOG 9 MY LIFE4 ,MY BRO!R'S ,LABRADOR RETRIEV]1 :O LIV$ 9 ,MAMA'S BACK Y>D1 TRI$ 6OBLIGE 0DELIV]+ ELEV5 HUGE MIX$-BRE$ ,LABRADOR PUPPIES4 ,US+ MY CANE1 ,I WD PUT A ROPE >.D ! NECK (! *OS5 PUPPY (! "D & WALK X 6! NURS+ HOME1 OR1 IF ,LONNEY DROVE1 HE WD C>RY "O (! WI7LY1 LICKY PUPPIES4 ,! /AFF LOV$ !M1 ! PATI5TS LOV$ !M1 & !Y SAV$ MY SAN;Y4 ,I DID N CRY 9 MY "M'S PRES;E4 ,I GOSSIP$ & TOLD FUNNY /ORIES AB ?+S T HAPP5$ AT "W OR 9 ! T[N ": %E LIV$4 ,I DID N CRY :5 ,I W5T 6H] H\SE4 ,I DID N CRY AT MY [N H\SE4 ,I 3V9C$ MYF T IF ,I DID1 ,I WD FALL 96! COLD & EMPTY BOTTOM.S PIT ( GRIEF1 ALL AL"O1 N"E 6RETURN4 ,S1 J Z ,I _H WALK$ ! BAL.E B1M 9 HI< S*OOL GYMNA/ICS AT ! ,TEXAS ,S*OOL =! ,BL1 ,I N[ WALK$ ! EMO;NAL TIE1 & MY [N FREEZ+1 A*+ GRIEF WAIT+ ) OP5 >MS D[N 2L 6CLAIM ME4 8,T'S OKAY10 ,I TOLD ! MON/] CALL$ ,GRIEF1 8,I'LL J /AY UP "H ": Y C'T GET ME40 ,I 2CAME ! 8S>AN WRAP LADY10 CL++ 6MYF & N M* ( ANY?+ ELSE4 ,I KICK$ ,LONNEY & MY O!R SWEET ROOMMATE \ ( MY H\SE1 5SUR+ MYF ( PHYSICAL Z WELL Z EMO;NAL ISOL,N4 ,MY BRO!RS 7 /UCK 9 M$ICAL LIMBO--HAT+ 6SEE ,MAMA UNA# 6D ANY?+ B BR1!1 B N "K+ :AT 6D AB LETT+ H] G4 ,9 ! 5D1 X 0 "O ( MY CO-"W]S :O *ANG$ ! C\RSE ( MY "M'S TR1T;T1 Z WELL Z ! DIREC;N ! RE/ ( MY LIFE WD TAKE4 ,HE CAME 96! BR1K ROOM AT "W "O "D AT ! 5D ( ,M>* :ILE ,I 0 MAK+ C(FEE & ASK$ AB ,MAMA4 ,WE TALK$ = A:ILE & HE F9,Y ASK$1 8,IF %E HAS A ,LIV+ ,W1 :AT IS %E DO+ ON A FE$+ TUBE80 8,WAIT A M9UTE10 ,I SD Z ,I /OOD 9 ! DOOR (! BR1K ROOM S HE CD N L1VE4 8,I ?"\ WE _H 6D T "P40 ,!N HE EXPLA9$ V PATI5TLY :AT _H HAPP5$ 6HIS [N "M 2C 8 FAMILY _H N"E ALL[$ TUBE FE$+ 62G9 AT ALL4 8,:AT AB H] T;GUE8 ,WON'T X DRY \ & SWELL UP80 8,WON'T H] TUMMY HURT80 8,>E Y SURE Y WDN'T L "S C(FEE80 ,I ASK$ 9 A RU%4 8,! SECRET10 HE TOLD ME OV] & OV] & OV] & OV] AG1 8IS 6KEEP H] M\? & SK9 NICE & MOI/ & KEEP TURN+ H]4 ,%E %D DIE )9 A WEEK IF !Y )DRAW ! FE$+ TUBE40 8,MY BRO!RS W N"E G = X10 ,I M\RN$4 8,!Y DIDN'T EV5 "K %E _H A ,LIV+ ,W4 ,H] DOCTOR1 :O IS _! FR1 :O %E US$ 6BABY SIT =1 & :O J LO/ 8 [N /EP"M1 WON'T G = X EI40 8,WRITE A LR10 HE ADVIS$4 8,REM9D YR BRO!RS & H] DOCTOR ( E "T %E MADE H] WI%ES "KN V]B,Y4 ,X W GIVE !M "T 6?9K10 HE SD4 ,I WROTE A V C>E;LLY ^W$ LR DOCU;T+ E "T ,MAMA _H MADE REM>KS AB N WI%+ 6L+]4 ,I AL WROTE A DOCU;T 9/RUCT+ ! NURS+ HOME 6T]M9ATE ! >TIFICIAL ABDOM9AL =CE- FE$+ DEVICE1 L1V+ A SPACE =! SIGNATURES ( MY BRO!RS4 ,X 0 "T1 M ?AN ANY?+ ELSE1 T MADE X POSSI# = MY BRO!RS 6SIGN ! DOCU;T ALL[+ MY "M 6BE A# 6DIE ) DIGN;Y1 F9,Y4 ,S9CE %E _H N"E 4CUSS$ H] WI%ES ) !M1 !Y WOKE UP 9 A 8BR&-NEW _W0 ": H] ,LIV+ ,W 0 3C]N$4 ,! SAME APPLI$1 9 MY OP9ION1 6H] DOCTOR4 ,"T AL ALL[$ HM 6CR1TE 5 EMO;NAL 4T.E F H] 6LET H] G4 ,AL1 0SUBMITT+ A WRITT5 DOCU;T = MY BRO!RS & H] DOCTOR 6SIGN1 ,I 0 GIV+ !M A TASK T !Y CD D 6GET ,MAMA (F ( 8M$ICAL HOLD40 ,! M$ICAL E/ABLI%;T 0 S BUSY TELL+ U T S9CE ,MAMA _H N GIV5 ANY ( U F9AL AU?OR;Y OV] H] ,LIV+ ,W1 T "! 0 NO?+ WE CD D4 ,WE 7 N"E TOLD :AT WE CD D IF WE ALL DID X TGR4 ,GIV+ "EYBODY A DOCU;T 6SIGN GOT ! /ALL$ M$ICAL MA*9E BACK 9 GE>4 ,I ATT5D$ ! ,TEXAS ,S*OOL =! ,BL = T5 YE>S 2T #AIEH & #AIFH4 ,S9CE ! /UD5TS 7 N ALL[$ 6USE ! PH"O EXCEPT = DIRE EM]G5CIES1 MY "M & ,I DEVELOP$ V /R;G NONV]BAL 3V]S,NAL SKILLS4 ,WE DIDN'T H A PLAN AB H[ WE 7 GO+ 6D ?4 ,WE J DID X4 ,? IS N H>D 6IMAG9E4 ,AF WE L1VE ! WOMB1 "MS / R1* \ ACR "T & 4T.E ) _! 9VISI# UMBILICAL CORDS 6GIVE SU/5.E 6_! *N4 ,H[ _M "TS H Y CALL$ YR "M ONLY 6H H] SAY1 8,I 0 J ?9K+ AB Y80 ,IF Y H "E D"O T1 Y H _H A NONV]BAL 3V]S,N1 O!RWISE Y WD N"E H CALL$ H]4 ,AF H] /ROKE \R ABIL;Y = NONV]BAL -MUNIC,N 9CR1S$4 ,I CALL$ "O NI H] BR1?+4 ,I 0 IMMLY ASSAULT$ )A HORRI# A*+ FEEL+ T DIDN'T SEEM 6H ANY?+ 6D ) H] PHYSICAL BODY4 8,YES10 CAME ! ANSW] 6MY "Q1 8WE USU,Y -E 9 "H AT NI & ,I TALK$ 6H] UNTIL ,I KNEW %E _H G"O 6SLEEP4 ,Z X TURNS \1 MY "M1 A NIE NURS+ HOME ,I CALL$ AG1 ? "T 9 ! MORN+4 8,:AT'S ! MATT] ) H]80 ,I ASK$ ! NURS+ /AFF "O MORN+ F MY (FICE PH"O1 A HUNDR$ MILES F ,MAMA'S NURS+ HOME4 8,WE DON'T "K4 ,WE 7 J GO+ 6CALL H] DOCTOR4 ,%E KEEPS GRITT+ H] TEE? & MOV+ H] H1D >.D40 ,"S?+ KEPT TELL+ ME MY "M'S NURSE & ,I 7 HAV+ A 4CUS.N AB A V SIMPLE MATT]4 ,!N X HIT ME4 8,HEY10 ,I F9,Y ASK$1 8HAS %E D"O BO? ( H] BA?ROOM ,8?+S80'0 8,NO10 CAME ! REPLY1 8ONLY "O40 8,WELL1 D "S?+ 6H] 6MAKE H] D X4 ,MAMA HAS 6D BO? BA?ROOM ?+S E MORN+ OR %E GETS H1DA*ES4 ,IF T DOESN'T "W1 CALL H] DOCTOR4 ,I'LL CALL Y BACK40 ,AB =TY-FIVE M9UTES AF T 3V]S,N1 ,I RELAX$ & GOT V SLEEPY4 ,YAWN+ 96MY (FICE PH"O1 ,I CALL$ ! NURS+ HOME AG4 8,%E J DID X10 ANN\NC$ A NURSE :O _H GR[N UP ) MY BRO!RS & ME4 8,IF Y _HN'T CALL$ ! F/ "T1 !Y MIE CLOSE40 ,2F WE )DREW ! FE$+ TUBE1 H["E1 WE DECID$ 6TAKE H] HOME "O LA/ "T S %E CD SAY GD-BYE 6! H\SE %E _H LIV$ 9 S9CE #AIEH4 ,I 9VIT$ ALL H] *UR* & POK] BU4IES4 ,WE _H ! C(FEE & FOOD !Y BR"\1 &! NOISE GOT R L\D & R[DY4 ,DUR+ ! L\DE/ "P ( H] "PY AT HOME1 WE _H ANO!R NONV]BAL 3V]S,N4 8,WDN'T Y R DIE "H ?AN 9 ! NURS+ HOME80 ,I ASK$1 WILL+ H] 6R1D MY ?"\S4 ,%E SL[$ H] BR1?+ D[N S M* ,I ?"\ X MIT+ S*OOL1 HOP+ T ! ACTIV;Y SURR.D+ ! 2G9N+ (! S*OOL YE> WD 4TRACT HM F ! GRIEF T WD SURELY TAKE PLACE AF H] D1?4 ,? "T1 H["E1 ,I KNEW BETT] ?AN 6J SIT BACK & RELAX4 ,SURE 5\<1 %ORTLY 2F \R S*$UL$ DATE1 ,I RCVD A CALL F ! [N] (! NURS+ HOME4 8,WE H A PRO#M ) YR DOCU;T ''' ,I "K Y WANT U 6/OP TUBE FE$+ ''' ,:AT D Y WANT U 6D8 ,:AT IS PALLIATIVE C>E80 ,I D N H ! K9D ( TEMP] T FL>ES UP & REC$ES )9 A M9UTE OR S4 ,I DID :5 ,I 0 SMALL B N[ MY ANG] IS M* SL[]1 M* M ORGANIZ$1 & M* M V9DICTIVE & CALCULAT+ ?AN SIMPLE R$-HOT RAGE4 8,I'LL TAKE C>E ( X10 ,I SD1 & HUNG UP ! PH"O4 ,I WROTE D[N "EY?+3 H[ (T5 6TURN H]1 6PUT H] 9 ! :IRLPOOL BA?1 6PUT MOI/URIZ] ON H]1 6CL1N H] M\? & T;GUE S H] LIPS WD N GET *APP$1 6MONITOR H] = 3/IP,N1 & 6TAKE H] \TSIDE S ! SUN CD %9E ON H]4 ,TAK+ H] \TSIDE 0 ONLY 6BE D"O :5 MY BRO!RS OR ,I WD 2 "!4 ,I H 5CLOS$ ! DOCU;T ,I WROTE )! DEF9I;N ( PALLIATIVE C>E 9 CASE Y >E "E 3FRONT$ )A H1L? C>E 9/ITU;N T PRET5DS N 6"K :AT PALLIATIVE C>E IS4 ,X 0 :ILE ,I 0 WRIT+ ! DOCU;T 6TELL ! NURS+ HOME 6TAKE ,MAMA (F ! FE$+ TUBE T ,I V[$ T IF ,I CD HELP X1 NO FAMILY 9 ? C.TRY WD "E H 6WRITE S* A DOCU;T AG4 ,I GAVE ! NURS+ /AFF S _M NURS+ *ORES 6D T X'S A WOND] ,MAMA GOT 6L1VE H] BODY AT ALL 2C ( 2+ H&L$ S M*4 8,HELP10 ,I EXCLAIM$ :5 ,I CALL$ FRANTIC,Y 6,DAVID ,MILN]1 "O ( MY FRS 9 ! ,N,NAL ,F$],N (! ,BL1 ! O!R ROOMMATE ,I _H KICK$ \ ( MY H\SE AL;G ) ,LONNEY4 8,I A4$ "S M /UFF 6,MAMA'S DY+ ,8?+Y10' & X'S PRETTY DETAIL$4 ,I'M AFRAID IF ,I C'T GET X ALL ON "O PAGE1 MY BRO!RS WON'T SIGN X4 ,IF X'S ALL ON "O PAGE & LOOKS PRETTY M* ! SAME1 !Y MIN AB A PROC$URE ) : !Y 7 UNFAMILI>4 ,I EV5 WROTE !M AN ETIQUETTE BRO*URE ON H[ 6DESCRIBE ! DEHYDR,N PROCESS 6FAMILIES A3URATELY )\T 2+ JUDG;TAL4 ,S9CE ! NURS+ HOME 0 UNFAMILI> )! DEHYDR,N PROCESS1 ,I ASSUM$ T !Y WD AL N 2 A# 6PROVIDE APPROPRIATE C\NSEL+ 6FAMILIES AB S* ?+S4 ,"EY"O ADH]$ 6! /&>D ( 2HAVIOR SET 9 ! TRA9+ BRO*URE ,I _H WRITT5 EXCEPT = "O NURSE4 ,%E TOLD ME1 9 ! PRES;E ( "O ( MY BRO!RS1 T %E 4APPROV$ ( :AT WE 7 DO+ 2C %E _H GOTT5 S US$ 6TAK+ C>E ( MY "M4 ,I SU7E/$ %E TAKE VAC,N "T S %E WDN'T FEEL S /RESS$4 ,IRONIC1 ,I ?"\1 ,I'M ! RELATIVE (A DY+ P]SON4 ,? M$ICAL 9/ITU;N IS SUPPOS$ 6BE (F]+ C\NSEL+ 6ME AB MY /RESS1 N ! O!R WAY >.D4 ,! NURS+ HOME N"E (F]$ MY BRO!RS OR ME ANY SU7ES;NS AB H[ 6H&LE ! /RESS ( \R SITU,N4 ,AL? NOBODY "E SD S1 ,I KNEW T IF ! PROC$URE _HN'T G"O SMOO?LY 7IF1 = EXAMPLE1 ,MAMA _H _H A SEIZURE Z A RESULT (! DEHYDR,N T NATUR,Y TAKES PLACE71 ,I WD 2 BLAM$4 ,! NURS+ HOME /AFF LET ME "K T !Y 7 AW>E T ,I 0 SOLELY RESPONSI# =! -POSI;N (! DOCU;T REMOV+ MY "M F ! FE$+ TUBE 0PRAIS+ MY TYP+ ABILITIES1 & ASK+ A NUMB] ( "QS AB H[ MY -PUT] "WS4 ,Z ,I H SD 2F1 ,I USU,Y DON'T M9D ANSW]+ ALL ! "QS NORM,Y ASK$ 0! PUBLIC AB H[ WE1 Z BL P1 LIVE \R LIVES4 ,B1 Z ,I SAT ) MY "M1 :O 0 !N RUNN+ A V HI< F"E Z A RESULT (! DEHYDR,N1 ,I ?"\ ! /AFF 0 PO9T+ ! F+] AT ME4 ,2C C\NSEL+ 0 N PROVID$ 6MY BRO!RS OR ME 0! NURS+ HOME DUR+ ? MO/ /RESS;L SITU,N1 MY BRO!RS / D N 8FEEL "R AB X0 & H A LOT M GUILT ?AN !Y %D4 ,A FEW /AFF MEMB]S TOLD ME !Y ?"\ WE 7 8DO+ ! "R ?+10 B ALM SIX YE>S LAT]1 MY BRO!RS / H N F.D P1CE ": ? ISSUE IS 3C]N$4 ,MO/ (! /AFF 0 S F"R5$ ! PROC$URE WDN'T G SMOO?LY T !Y 7 9 NO POSI;N 6(F] C\NSEL+4 ,"O /AFF MEMB] CAME 6ME & TOLD ME T :5 H] "F _H _H A /ROKE1 H] FAMILY _H N ALL[$ TUBE FE$+ 62G91 & T ?+S 7 GO+ Z EXPECT$ 9 T]MS ( MY "M'S D1?4 ,%E ASK$ ME N 6M5;N H] "N 2C NOBODY 9 ! NURS+ HOME KNEW T %E _H _H PREVI\S EXP]I;E ) HELP+ "S"O DIE :O DID N WI% 6H A FE$+ TUBE4 ,:5 ,MAMA DI$1 ,I CD HE> ! NURS+ HOME /AFF H1VE A BIG1 COLLECTIVE SI< ( RELIEF T "EY?+ _H G"O S SMOO?LY ONCE ! FE$+ TUBE _H BE5 REMOV$4 8,MAMA10 ,I SD 6MY "M ! "D 2F %E DI$1 8,I WASN'T GO+ 6TELL Y ?1 B ! LADY F ! HOSPICE T ,I CALL$ SD ,I %D S Y CD MAKE "S *OICES4 ,I C ONLY 2 "H UNTIL NEXT ,SUN"D 2C ,I C'T TAKE (F "W ANYMORE )\T GETT+ DOCK$4 ,S IF Y WANT 6DIE AL"O1 WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK1 B IF Y WANT ME 6BE "H :5 Y DIE1 ,I WANT$ Y 6"K H[ M* L;G] ,I CD /AY40 ,I 0 N RE,Y AW>E ( L1V+ MY BODY DUR+ T TACT;L LL SPEE*1 B AF ,I F9I%$1 ,I _H 63C5TRATE ON ": MY >MS & LEGS W]E4 ,T SPEE* 0 ! MO/ PA9;L ?+ ,I H "E D"O 9 MY LIFE4 ,I W5T HOME & ?REW UP4 8,H[ IS %E80 ASK$ "O ( MY BRO!RS T NI X10 HE 9T]RUPT$1 8,J TELL ME :5 X'S OV]40 8,:AT IS "! AB ! M5 9 \R SOCIETY10 ,I WOND]$1 8T !Y >E S EASILY LET (F ! HOOK 9 ^! SITU,NS80 ,X 0 ASSUM$1 BO? 0! FEMALE /AFF AT ! NURS+ HOME & 0MY BRO!RS1 T ,I1 N !Y1 WD SIT ) ,MAMA :5 %E DI$4 ,!Y BO? SD !Y _H 6"W4 ,S :AT AB MY "W8 ,0 MY "W LESS IMPORTANT 2C ,I'M FEMALE1 OR 2C ,I H A 4ABIL;Y1 P ?9K T NO "O WD HIRE ME 6D ANY?+ V IMPORTANT1 ANYWAY8 ,:ILE ,I 0 VISIT+ MY "M1 ,I RAN 96TWO FRS F HI< S*OOL1 BO? FEMALE1 :O _H GIV5 UP _! FULL-"T JOBS 6-E 8BACK HOME0 6TAKE C>E ( "O OR BO? ( _! P>5TS4 ,NEI _H A 4ABIL;Y T ,I "K (4 ,9 MY [N SITU,N1 ,I 0 AFRAID IF ,I DEM&$ TOO M* ( MY BRO!RS1 T !Y WDN'T H SIGN$ ! DOCU;T ALL[+ ,MAMA 6DIE4 ,I AM A MEMB] (! ,N,NAL ,F$],N (! ,BL1 ! L>GE/ & MO/ POLITIC,Y E6ECTIVE GRASS- ROOTS ORGANIZ,N ADVOCAT+ =! "RS (! BL 9 ? C.TRY4 8,X'S N OV] TILL WE SAY X'S OV]10 IS "O ( \R FAVORITE MANTRAS1 :E!R WE >E LITIGAT+1 $UCAT+ \R 3GRESSM5 9 ,WA%+TON1 NEGOTIAT+ QUIETLY 9 ! BACK ROOM1 OR WALK+ ! PICKET L9E4 8,P C ONLY D :AT !Y C D10 C\NSEL$ "O ( MY ,,NFB FRS4 8,YR BRO!RS H AB R1*$ ! 5D ( _! ROPE 2C !Y SEE H] E "D S9CE !Y LIVE S CLOSE4 ,ALL Y RE,Y NE$ !M 6D AT ? PO9T IS SIGN ! PAP]4 ,DON'T WA/E YR 5]GY ON ANG] 2C %E DIDN'T TALK 6!M 2F %E GOT SICK4 ,"! IS PROBABLY A R1SON = T : HAS N BE5 REV1L$ 6Y YET4 ,N[1 G HOME1 & D :AT Y H 6D40 ,! "D AF T PA9;L 3V]S,N ) ,MAMA1 ,I RETURN$ 6! NURS+ HOME4 8,WE ALM CALL$ Y LA/ NIIE1 A NURSE :O 0 A FR ( \R FAMILY4 8,%E'S A LOT W1K] ?AN %E 0 YE/]"D4 ,WE TOLD H] LA/ NIDIAN ANGELS1 & "S"TS ,I ACTU,Y D :AT !Y TELL ME4 8,MAMA1 Y "K ,UNCLE ,H>OLD 0 ,G5]AL ,MC,C>?Y'S BODYGU>D DUR+ ,_W ,W> ,,II4 ,WELL1 HE & ,AUNT ,JOHNEY >E L1V+ 6G 6"S FANCY D1L TD4 ,IF Y CD GET \ ( YR BODY1 Y CD G ) !M4 ,X'S SUPPOS$ 6BE PRETTY N1T40 ,H] BR1?+ *ANG$ IMMLY4 ,X 2CAME V L\D & RASPY S.D+4 8,T'S :AT D1? RATTLE S.DS L10 SD ,M>IE4 8,YR "M HAS SKIPP$ 6! LA/ PHASE4 ,? IS GO+ 6BE RE,Y FA/40 ,:5 GIV5 ! *OICE1 ,I S5T ALL ! /AFF AWAY1 ELECT+ 6BE AL"O ) ,MAMA4 ,AT ! "T1 ,I DIDN'T "K :Y2 ,I _H N"E SE5 ANY"O DIE 2F4 ,AB ! LA/ FIVE M9UTES %E 0 9 H] BODY1 ,I 2GAN 6FEEL V T5SE & FRANTIC4 8,MAMA1 QUIT RUNN+ >.D "EY":40 ,I FR[N$1 & !N ,I KNEW :AT ,I _H 6TELL H]4 8,Y'RE LOOK+ =! LIDS ! WALL ( FE> : IS ! D>KE/ PLACE Y W SEE4 ,AF Y GET 6! 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M$ICAL & LEGAL SY/EMS4 ,Z A RESULT1 %E LAY = ALM A YE> ON A FE$+ TUBE1 ONLY BR1?+4 ,! 4*>G+ (! ,LIV+ ,W (A DY+ LOV$ "O %D N RELY ON A *.E MEET+ )A CO-"W] AT ! C(FEEPOT4 ,! PURPOSE ( ? BOOK IS 6BETT] PREP>E P = D1L+ )! ISSUES ( D1? &A ,LIV+ ,W4 ,MY "M1 MANIFE/+ H]F Z AN \-(-BODY VISITOR1 HAS PROV5 6BE A M* M DEM&+ TASKMA/] ?AN %E "E 0 :5 %E _H A BODY4 8,PUT YR BACK BRACE ON AT NID >GU+ ) YR "M :ILE %E IS 9 H] BODY1 TRY DO+ X :5 %E NO L;G] HAS "O4 ,Y C'T RUN AWAY F P ) NO BODIES4 ,!Y FOLL[ Y "EY":4 8,I AM YR "M2 ,I C FOLL[ Y 96! BA?ROOM IF ,I WANT TO2 ,I US$ 6*ANGE YR DIAP]S4 ,GET AWAY F T ,,TV & G SIT AT YR -PUT]4 ,DON'T MAKE T YE> ,I SP5T 9 ! NURS+ HOME LIV+ AG/ MY W 2 = NO?+4 ,Y / H 6M9D ME4 ,EV5 ?\< ,I DON'T H A BODY ANYMORE1 ,I AM / YR "M4 ,I AM YR 3SCI;E40 ,I _C EMPHASIZE /R;GLY 5 ! NECESS;Y 64CUSS YR ,LIV+ ,W PROVI.NS 2FH& )! P Y PLAN 6PUT 9 *>GE4 ,Y M/ AL %[ 4C]N;T 9 *OOS+ ^? :O >E GD ADVOCATES = Y4 ,Y MAY DECIDE A FR OR ATTORNEY IS ! BE/ *OICE = Y4 ,YR *OICE MAY1 B DOES N H TO1 9CLUDE YR FAMILY MEMB]S4