"She's been asleep for a while, Auntie," my Ice Queen whispers softly. "And yes, she's already had dinner."
I don't move. I focus and silently pray to Saint Taylor that my mother doesn't decide to come and give me a goodnight kiss like she used to.
"Does it smell like a man's cologne?"
"Emett was here," she sighs. "He left about fifteen minutes ago," she yawns. "I'm going to bed, Auntie. I'm tired. Are you going to bed now? I can walk you to your room..."
"Don't worry, go and rest, dear. I'll sleep with my Leoncia tonight," she murmurs.
"Now I'm dead."
My heart pounds in my head, I feel like my soul has left my body, and even the fever has gone with it, leaving behind a cold, stiff, lifeless shell. My temples throb as I hear her say goodbye to Mali, and when I hear the door close, I
