The next morning, as the nurse entered with a fresh chart, Tula didn’t wait. “I want to see my full file,” she said. Her tone was steady, without apology. “Not summaries. Not reprints. The original paperwork. Intake forms. Every page with my name on it from the day I came in.”
The nurse hesitated. “Would you prefer to speak with your doctor about—”
“No,” Tula said, sharper now. “I don’t need an interpretation. I need the documents.” She looked the nurse directly in the eye. “Bring them.” There was no anger in her voice, just a hard-edged clarity that left little room for delay.