Mom was still gripping the pen.
For 2 seconds, she looked stunned. Then she let out a little laugh, as though she'd heard a funny joke.
"Doctor, are you and that brat trying to fool me together? She's always been good at acting."
She started toward the resuscitation room.
"Enid! Enough is enough! Get your ass up!
"If you don't get up, forget new dresses. I won't buy you so much as a scrap of fabric!"
But the room was utterly silent.
No one answered her.
A nurse wheeled me out on a gurney, my body covered by a white sheet.
Mom lunged forward and tore it away.
I lay still, my face as white as wallpaper. My lips had turned a dark purple. Wet hair clung to my forehead, still dripping icy water.
Mom's hand shook as she carefully held it beneath my nose.
Nothing.
Not even the fainte
