KNOWING THAT I AM NOW facing weeks without seeing her, I get to Helen’s room early the next day.
“So,” I say after handing her a coffee and a cinnamon roll from The Perfect Cup, “any more thoughts on the rehab center?”
She nods. “Martin is looking at setting something up so I can go straight there as soon as I leave the hospital.”
“OK,” I say. “That’s good. That’s good.”
“Yeah,” she says.
“I’m sure it’s very nice down there this time of year.”
“Oh, I’m sure. It’s near Roanoke, so the mountains are right there.”
“I’ve been to Roanoke,” I say. “It’s a nice city.”
“The facility is newer,” she says. “Nationally known.”
“You should get really good care then,” I say.
“Yup, yup.”
After this scintillating conversation, we lapse into silence. I have no idea what to say. I mean, there are
