THE SCREAMS GRADUALLY fell in decibels as both women got a handle on themselves. Nelly’s long limbs struggled to unfold themselves from their pretzel-like tangle, and Mrs. Wu watched her attempts with sharp eyes.
When at last Nelly had pried herself from the cupboards, she tumbled out and landed at Mrs. Wu’s feet. The urge to lay there with her face flattened on the warm floorboards nearly consumed her, but Nelly got up and shot Erik’s mother a wry smile.
“Found it!” she cried. “Lost my contact lens.”
Mrs. Wu’s plucked eyebrows rose and her pink lips turned downwards. “You lost your contact lens… in there?”
“Funny how that happens.” Nelly placed her fisted hands on her hips and propped one leg behind the other. “It’s nice to see you, Mrs. Wu. How have you been?”
“Fine,” Mrs. Wu said i
