Around midnight, the Emergency Room received a wave of food poisoning patients, all students from a nearby high school. When Selena Flores and Asher Harrington came to register, there was a line at the triage desk.
After the duty nurse had dealt with the patient at hand, she measured Asher Harrington's temperature and blood pressure. He had an inflammation from an external injury, requiring anti-infection treatment.
"Family members, please go and register."
Selena Flores frowned slightly and hesitated for a moment before saying to Asher Harrington, "I'll go register. You sit here and wait."
Asher Harrington sat on the waiting chair, listlessly acknowledging with a hum.
Selena Flores left him and headed to the triage desk.
The triage nurse said, "Give me your ID card."
Asher Harrington didn't have an ID card.
In a quiet voice, Selena Flores explained to the nurse, "We were in a rush and didn't bring ID cards. Is it okay if we don't use them?"
