Chapter Nine
Helle called in to work the next day saying she would be absent for the morning, at least. She must visit someone in hospital. A car accident, a coma.
Her employer was very understanding, even, one might say, effusively sympathetic, and this blatant show of emotion made Helle uncomfortable. She sensed that she was now expected to put on a great show of emotion as well.
Instead, she merely hung up the phone.
When she arrived at Giulianna’s hospital room, she found Kadisha in a chair. Sitting next to the bed. Holding Giulianna’s hand. Stroking the back of it with her thumb. Talking to the girl as if she could hear.
Did Kadisha not realize Giulianna was nowhere to be found, in this room? In this hospital, even? Her words were wasted. She was speaking to an empty sh
