We pull off the dirt road, drive through the mill’s dilapidated chain-link gate into the gravel parking lot. I’ve been making this drive, from the house to this lot, for a long time. We find a spot at the end of a row of several trucks.

We’ll go in the front door today, I say, but that’s not normal for me. I usually go in through the back door, for workers.

Terrance takes out his screen, for notes or photos, I assume, or both.

A chime sounds as we enter; Terrance is a step or two behind me. There’s no one around. Mary’s not even here. Odd, I think. I was expecting to see her at her desk. She’s the receptionist. She’s usually here at this time of the day to greet people and answer any calls.

This way, I say.

I take him through the entrance, to the back, toward the first loading dock. There’s no one in here, either.

“It’s bigger than I pictured. Lots to see,” Terrance says. “I’ll probably have to come back again tomorrow for a bit, so I don’t miss anything. Is the bathroom that way?” He asks, pointing to the long hall on our left.

Yeah, through there, at the end.

“I’ll be right back.”

I’m not often in this part of the mill. Never to stand here like this. It’s particularly quiet today. Where is everyone? A single drip falls from the ceiling onto the floor beside my foot. There are a few drops collecting around a wet spot. The next drop is slow to form before falling, but does so, eventually.

Mary, I say, looking up to see her at the end of the hall. Hey, Mary.

She stops, looks at me.

“Junior. My god! How are you? I can’t believe you’re here.” She starts walking toward me. “Look at you! Hen called. Told us about your shoulder. How are you feeling?”

Okay. Just little sore maybe. I’ll be fine.

“What are you doing here?” she says. She pulls me in for a delicate hug. I have to lean down. She’s careful around my shoulder. “I didn’t think you could work, not so soon.”

No, I can’t right now. I’ll be off for a bit.

Two of the guys walk by, both nod at Mary, but neither stops to talk.

“We’ll miss you, of course. We have missed you. But we’ll make do. You need to take all the time you need.”

Was anyone asking about me today, wondering where I was?

“Today?” She swats dramatically at a fly that’s buzzing around her head. “Oh, I’m not sure. Is there a reason why you came here today? You should be resting.”

I was just dropping Terrance off, I say. He’s having a look around.

A few hoppers have been turned on, and it’s getting loud. It’s getting harder to hear.

“Terrance?”

Yeah, Terrance. I have to yell now. Hen’s . . . cousin. He’s staying with us for a bit.

“Yes, that’s right. Hen mentioned that. Well, it’s nice to see you. I hope you start feeling like your old self soon,” she says. “Remember: nothing’s more important than your health.”