By the time Stella woke up, it was already noon.
My mother was sitting at the edge of the bed, her eyes swollen nearly shut, holding Stella's hand and saying over and over, "It's okay. You're okay. That's all that matters now, you're okay..."
Stella opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a long time.
"Where's Claire?" she asked, her voice barely there.
My mother's tears fell again, landing on the back of Stella's hand. "She... Claire, she..." She couldn't get the words out.
Stella sat up sharply and threw back the covers.
"Stella!" My mother grabbed her. "Don't move. You just fainted. You need to rest."
"Where is she?"
Stella's voice cracked on the words, sharp and trembling. "Where is she?"
My mother looked at her daughter's pale face and finally broke. "In the living room
