One hundred and forty-eight people gathered in the hall.

One person could not make it but sent a three-page letter.

One hundred and forty-seven signed the book.

Only one did not.

One hundred and forty-one, over the years, had spoken with her about children, spouses, abuse, rapes, fears, shortcomings, debts, dreams.

One hundred and thirty-seven had been hired by her.

Twenty-three had their jobs saved by her.

Four had been fired by her but came anyway.

Everyone knew it was the last time.

One photograph was taken.

One woman in the center of the photograph.

All were smiling.

One hundred and forty-seven signatures on the back of the photograph.

Twelve words on the front: From all those you saved at St. Matthew’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

* Divinity: collective noun for a group of neonatal intensive care nurses.

Thomas Elson’s short stories, poetry, and flash fiction have been published in numerous venues, such as Calliope, Pinyon, Lunaris, New Ulster, Lampeter, Selkie, Pennsylvania Literary Journal, and Adelaide Literary Magazine. He divides his time between Northern California and Western Kansas.