Hanson’s office promptly at six o’clock Monday morning. She waited only minutes in his outer office before a quiet-spoken, sweet, elderly receptionist showed her in. “Good morning, Ms. Nickels. Are you ready?” Dr. Hanson was not wasting any time. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” Kristen sat in the chair across from him. The same one she sat in two weeks ago, making this controversial decision. She looked down at her hands, shaking in her lap. “I just have some final paperwork for you to sign and then we will get started. Surgery is scheduled for eight.” Dr. Hanson carefully set a small pile of papers in front of Kristen. Did he think she would change he mind if he weren’t gentle? “Just sign in the places I have highlighted and we’ll get started.” With trembling fingers, Kristen reached for the expensive silver pen the doctor held out to her. She wondered briefly what a pen like that cost. She wondered how many pens he could afford. As soon as she signed all the papers, Kristen stood and walked over to the window.
