34REALIZATION ABOUT her present condition flashed through Teresa’s mind. She had assumed that it was her grief—for not seeing her baby Mercedes anymore—that had made her physically sick. She felt like vomiting though she hadn’t eaten breakfast. She couldn’t force herself to stand because she felt dizzy and was afraid she might collapse when she left the bed. Teresa didn’t immediately feel the presence of Sister Dorothea who was now standing beside her bed, but when she sensed the nun was there, her eyes remained close. The nun had to speak her name three times before Teresa decided to open her eyes slowly and pretend she was just waking up. But Sister Dorothea couldn’t be fooled; she was studying Teresa. Teresa sat up on the edge of the bed, not out of fear, but out of defiance.
Okay, let
