Tula signed the form, but her mind wasn’t on the consent. The incorrect birthdate lingered in her head longer than she’d expected. The nurse had corrected it casually, a quick stroke of her pen. But something about it itched at her—like a word she’d misheard and couldn’t forget.
She reminded herself hospitals were busy places. Mistakes happened. Still, it wasn’t the only one. A technician had asked if she was “back already” during her first scan, though she’d never met him before. Another nurse had said that she brought in a scan for ‘Tula A.’, before correcting herself and leaving the room without explanation.