Freshly Bloomed Lilies

Zhao Lifei wished she had prepared herself mentally and physically when she stepped through the boundary separating her from the hospital room. The faint smell of chemicals mixed with a healthy concoction of essential oils lingered in the room, swarming up her nose. Her senses tingled with the familiar, but unpleasant memories. Light, rhythmic beeping of a machine created a small white noise in the perfectly-cleaned and organized room. 

"Has anyone else been in here?" Zhao Lifei's hands felt empty. At a time like this, should she have brought flowers? Her eyes lifted to the small vases beside her grandfather. 

"Yes, your older cousin, Zhao Xingxing was the first to visit. She brought the freshly bloomed lilies. Accompanying her is Zhao Jing came with a basket of fruit and a bouquet of carnations." Li Xuan answered in a heartbeat, ready to list on more names, but Zhao Lifei shook her head. 

"Get rid of the flowers."