19WE REQUESTED THAT they turn off the ventilator at sunset the following week. They wanted to do it in three days, but we want more time to send you off properly. The week passes
by in a hurry, the way time usually is when it knows how badly it is wanted. But now the day is upon us, springing onto our doorstep. We change you into a yellow dress I found covered with plastic
in your closet. It’s made of taffeta and silk, something that you could have worn in a wedding. I hope this is okay. The nurses are very gentle with us. They don’t say much, only that
they are very sorry.
It is lunchtime already when we are finished with all the preparations. Ferdinand holds your hand while he recites Psalm 23. His face looks brittle, as if he could easily weep at the mere
mention of your name. Past
