“You’re Making Up Symptoms,” They Laughed—Until the Specialist’s Report Came Back.

& Daughter doing the unglamorous work while Mitchell & Son got credit for being competent. The building smelled like sawdust and metal and old men’s cologne. The fluorescent lights made everything look sickly, which felt fitting.

Thomas was already there when I arrived at 5:58 a.m., bright-eyed and solid. “You’re late,” he said, glancing at continue reading …