The music/sounds are a really effective addition.
spoilers
I suspected the mental deterioration when I saw how old I was in the mirror, plus lost dog, but the way it continues to unfold past that is really nice. The repeated questions and conversations with Maya and Kendra are well-implemented, being slightly different as time goes, but Kendra the nurse remains patient while Maya gets frustrated.Then came the other twist I expected, about Bucky.
And then the one I didn’t expect about Bucky.
And then the one I didn’t expect about Charlie.
I’m torn about this one, because any resentment is only very slightly hinted at before this. And it’s such an intense tonal shift it suddenly felt like I was reading a different story.
Doesn’t mean it can’t happen, or it can’t make sense as a plausible mood shift for this PC. But it pulled me out of the spooky, contemplative, wistful sadness the first half had cultivated in me.
Great writing, and I agree with lowtides, the pacing is perfect.
And sorry, the “deleted post” below is mine. I’m new to commenting on here and didn’t know that would happen.