Hello, David--my name is Dusty.
I'm your night nurse.
I will stay with you.
I will check your vitals every 15 minutes.
I will document inevitability.
I will hang more blood and give you something for your pain.
I will stay with you and I will touch your face.

Yes, of course, I will write your mother and tell her you were brave.
I will write your mother and tell her how much you loved her.
I will write your mother and tell her to give your bratty kid sister a big kiss and hug.
What I will not tell her is that you were wasted.

I will stay with you and I will hold your hand.
I will stay with you and watch your life flow through my fingers into my soul.
I will stay with you until you stay with me.

Goodbye, David--my name is Dusty.
I'm the last person you will see.
I'm the last person you will touch.
I'm the last person who will love you.

So long, David--my name is Dusty.
David--who will give me something for my pain?