No wonder even the smallest cut, the tiniest
bruise, the most inconsequential ache seemed so
shocking. Gradually, with every passing day. I had to
let go of the fantasy. Someone opened the door and let
me see the world as it was around us and I knew that
even Mama and Roy couldn't keep the pain away. But
they tried, oh, how they tried.
Recalling all this. I know I was lying there with
a cool, happy smile on my face even though my skin
was so hot with fever I was practically radiating from
the bed. The headache dulled. I breathed a little better
and I slept on through the better memories, wrapping
them around me like a cocoon in which I could safely
and comfortably snuggle to wait for the burst of
sunshine around me again.
Nat long after. I heard Aunt 'Victoria coming
up the stairs and waited, praying she had regained her
senses and would realize that if she didn't do
something for me soon. I might die and she would be
blamed. Now dressed in a blouse and one of her
familiar ankle-length skirts, she stepped through the
doorway carrying a tray.
"Here you go," she said. "your tea and toast.
That's all you're permitted to have for now:' She set the tray down on the night stand by the
bed and stepped back.
"We're having a beautiful honey-baked ham
and those little potatoes you love so much. I bet you
can smell it up here, can't you? Does it make your
stomach chum?"
"You're going to be blamed," I whispered. "Excuse me? Are you trying to say something,