Julie left without another word. Anna turned back to the lady lying in the bed and spoke again. “That’s it, Miss Adelaide, you aren’t alone and I won’t leave you. You can go home now.”

As the seconds ticked slowly by and time marched steadily along, Anastasia sat there and held the older woman’s hand and simply waited. She remained there and kept her silent vigil as Adelaide’s breathing became more erratic and labored. Anna stayed at her side after the older woman’s breath failed to come. She contained to hold Adelaide’s hand as her heart continued to slow, began to miss beats and then failed to contract.

Two hours after the floor assistant left her, Anastasia exited the room and walked to the station as she wiped tears from her eyes. “Julie, call Doctor MacDougal and tell him that Adelaide Cox has passed away,” she whispered.

“You stayed in there this whole time?” Julie asked. “While she died?”

“Yes. No one should have to die alone.”