"When am I going to see Mama?" I asked.
"I told you, Jordan. After she is settled in at the new hospital, we'll see when it's appropriate to visit her. It's not polite to ask adults the same question repeatedly. The answer won't change because you do that either.
"Let me give you a bit of wisdom," she said, approaching the bed. "It's difficult enough as it is to hold the attention of other people meaningfully. Don't waste it on nonsense or whining or repetitious questions. When I was your age. I wasn't permitted to speak at dinner unless I had been spoken to first, for example. Parents today permit their children to quack after them with 'why this?' and 'why that?' like ducks.
"Besides," she said, "you will soon learn that it's more to your advantage to listen. It will help you make wiser decisions. Do you understand?"
I shook my head. I didn't feel that I did understand. Why wasn't she permitted to talk at dinner?
'You will,' she insisted. "Eventually. Now, get yourself up, washed, and dressed. Fix your hair so you look your best. First impressions are more often final than not and I'd like Miss Harper to have a good impression of you." She flashed a smile.
"I have cramps," I blurted. They had started just minutes before she had arrived and were now a bit more intense.
"Pardon me?"
"My stomach. I have cramps and I might need that"--I had forgotten the name--"thing that looks like a white cigar."
It was the first time I had ever seen my gmndmother blush. Her left hand seemed to flutter up to the base of her throat.
"Did your mother show you how to use it?" I nodded.
"This is extraordinary," she said. "Go into the bathroom and do what must be done. And don't mention this or talk about it in your brother's presence."
'He knows about it," I said before thinking.
"Knows? You mean you told him?" I hesitated. "Well?"
"Yes."
"Did your mother know this?"
"I don't know."
"Did he...did he watch you insert it or in any way participate?" I shook my head. How could he participate?
She looked relieved.
"We will be going to see Dr. Dell'Acqua today," she said firmly. 'From today on, however, Miss Harper will be the only one besides me with whom you will ever discuss any of this. Never, never talk about yourself with Ian again. Jordan. Do you understand me?"
I nodded. but she didn't look satisfied.
"This won't do," she said as though there were someone else in the room besides us. "Where is that book he gave you?"
"I left it at the cabin," I said.
"Good. Miss Harper will answer your questions from now on."
"Is she a doctor, too?" I asked.
"Never mind what she is or isn't," she snapped. "Direct all questions to her and never to your brother or anyone else, for that matter."
"I can tell Mama," I said.
"Yes. You can tell her, but will she ever hear you? That's the bigger question," she muttered. and started out of the bedroom. "Don't mess the bed," she added when she turned back. "Go do what you have to do. Extraordinary," she repeated. and left as though she was afraid to stay much longer.
I hurried to the bathroom and found what I needed in the lower cabinet. Mama had given me a whole box before we had gone to the cabin and Nancy had placed it there. After that, I washed and dressed and brushed my hair. I took longer than I thought and Grandmother Emma sent Nancy up to tell me to come down immediately.
"Is Ian downstairs?" I asked her.