My Childhood Sweetheart Asked Me to Sign a Special Folder in Room Four Hundred Seven

on the table,” Ben said, pointing to the black plastic ballpoint beside his water pitcher.

I picked up the hospital pen and pressed the tip against my thumb, then tried to draw a small line on the margin of the withdrawal slip. Nothing came out but a dry scratch that left a faint gray groove in the paper.

“It is dry,” I said.

“Try the one in your purse,continue reading …