The campus health center placed our appointments forty minutes apart by design. Nina entered first while I waited inside the café across the courtyard. Her consultation remained hers even though the date surrounding it belonged to both of us.
I reviewed an oral-history transcript instead of watching the clinic door. The choice prevented support from becoming surveillance, though every opening door still pulled my attention; Nina messaged only after reaching the café.
{Nina: Finished. No emergency. I want tea before we compare anything.}
I ordered her usual ginger tea after confirming she wanted it, then left payment open because she disliked automatic financial care. Nina arrived wearing wide-leg black trousers, a fitted green top, plus white trainers; she looked relieved without appearing frightened.
"Do you want questions now?" I asked, closing the transcript before she sat.
