Forgiveness

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My mind was spinning with unfamiliar smells and sounds and questions. My heart beating I tiptoed past the smell of floor cleaner and medication and illness past the pale-green walls the over-waxed tiles and the sounds of the hushed chatter of nurses and beeping machines. Room 523. Where am I? Where is room 523? What am I doing here anyway? 

Ah. Room 523. I entered. Sitting up stiffly her hands hugging her knees was Minna. She looked the same except for her complexion which had an uncharacteristic pallor and her demeanor which had an uncharacteristic humility. I cleared my throat uncomfortably. 

“Uh… hi” I said. 

Minna looked at me for a moment with eyes that flashed with wonder and gratitude and shame and then quickly looked down at her knees. Her lips quivered. 

“Tell me Bracha” she said while tears spilled down her chin and onto her sheet. “Why are you doing this for me?”