CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
You sit with your brother for over an hour in the old people’s home in Pankow, holding his hand.
“I’ve been away,” you say. “That’s why I didn’t come to see you. I’m sorry.”
He stares straight ahead. Saliva dribbles down the side of his mouth. As his case is now officially hopeless, he had to be moved from the rehabilitation centre in Brandenburg. The only space available was in this old people’s home. You wipe the saliva away, and a new droplet starts to form.
“Leave it,” your mother says. “There’s no point.” You glare at her and dab your brother’s mouth. A fresh droplet forms. “See?” she says.
“Hush, Elena,” says Aunt Vladka, squeezing your hand. “Can’t you see how hard this is for her?”
“He’s much worse,” you tell your father when you flop into the passenger se
