Within Arm's Reach

Noreen Ballen helps Catharine regain her strength. She believes that Catharine is dying and holding onto life for one specific purpose, something she has seen many elderly patients do. She also states that Catharine wanted to return to her room because she wanted to die comfortably in her home. Noreen, who was a devout Catholic for a long time, no longer believes in God following her husband Eddie’s death. She instead now believes that good things in her life come from her late husband. She watches as Catharine’s family visits, with Gracie visiting the most.

Noreen answers Gracie’s questions about childbirth, telling her that it will be painful but worth it. She describes the overwhelming love that Gracie will feel for the baby once it is born. Noreen then details the McLaughlin children and grandchildren’s visits before talking about how she always enjoyed switching between different patients and different forms of nursing work. She had always wanted to be a nurse. She then talks to Lila, telling her she looks the most like Catharine. Catharine then tells Lila and Noreen that she likes Weber, though Lila says he does not like her anymore.

Catharine continues to improve, and Noreen finds herself uncomfortable with Louis’s presence and his grief over her husband.