The ICU was never quiet.
It was the first myth they learned was false
There would be others.
The patient's family waited to hear good news.
Then they waited for any news at all.
The explanations they received sounded more like disclaimers than plans,
but the poor eye contact and whispers at the nursing station said plenty.
Hours stretched into days.
Other patients moved out or home.
B didn't move at all.
The presence or absence of stimuli: part three