Even though the medical team had already pushed Micah through the heavy double doors and the red light above the operating room had switched on, the hospital staff still insisted that the consent form had to be signed. Procedures were procedures. No matter how urgent the situation was, the paperwork had to be completed.
The nurse stood there stiffly, holding the clipboard against her chest as if it were a shield. Her eyes flicked between Clyde and the others, clearly uncomfortable under the thick tension hanging in the air.
"I'm sorry, sir, but you're not registered as immediate family," the nurse said politely.
Clyde paused. He stared at the blank line for several seconds, jaw tight, before finally placing the pen back on the clipboard instead of signing.
"His grandparents will be here shortly," he said evenly.
