The things you’re glad someone wrote down
In one place, instead of in somebody’s memory.
Who to call. What someone arriving would need to know. Written down once, by the people who already knew it. Emily doesn’t have to remember any of it at two in the morning.
A sheet on a wooden table in warm side-light, headed with Maria’s name. It shows the three people who are told if she asks for help — her daughter, her son and her neighbour, each with their relationship and number — and below them the notes her family has added over the months, each signed and dated: that Rosa next door has a key, that she uses a cane on the stairs and is allergic to sulfa drugs, that her hearing aid is in the right ear, and that she would rather be told straight. A pen rests nearby, unused.
Maria Delgado-Rey
Kept with her care
- Who gets told if Maria asks for help
- Emily Rey-Carter · daughter · (555) 0118Daniel Rey · son · (555) 0173Rosa Whitfield · neighbour · (555) 0164
- Notes her family added
- “Rosa next door has a key.” — Emily, March“Uses a cane on the stairs. Allergic to sulfa drugs.” — Daniel, April“Hearing aid in the right ear — speak to that side.” — Emily, June“Mum says if it’s serious, tell her straight.” — Emily, June