“But she should know that she can always talk to me. I’m her mom.” Mara’s voice broke on the final word.

“Would you like me to visit with Kendall?” I asked.

Mara dug a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed at her nose. “But you can’t repeat what she says to you, right?” Mara asked. “I won’t be any closer to knowing why she did this.”

“You’re right,” I told her. “I can’t tell you the details of our conversation but I can help Kendall process what’s been happening, help her try to understand what she’s feeling. And I can encourage her to talk to you.”

Mara and I looked through the glass at Kendall, who pushed herself up in bed and wiped at her mouth with her sleeve, grimacing at the taste of charcoal. “It’s up to you, Mara, but at some point Kendall is going to need to talk to someone.” Mara knocked on the glass and gave Kendall a little wave and tried to muster a smile. Kendall looked away, pretending she didn’t see.

“Oh, Jesus,” Mara said, pressing her forehead against the door. “I can’t take much more of this and I know that Jim is already at the end of his rope. Please talk to Kendall. Please help her.”

“Give us a half hour,” I suggested. “It will be a start.”

Mara released a shuddery breath. “What should I do? I don’t know what to do.”

“Your husband is with Cora and I’m here with Kendall. Maybe go down to the cafeteria, take a walk.”

Mara looked hesitant. “How about just fifteen minutes?” I asked.

“Okay,” Mara agreed. “Okay.” I watched from the doorway as Mara went back into the examination room to tell Kendall that she’d be right back. She leaned down to give Kendall a peck on the cheek but her daughter pulled away and the kiss was lost to the air.

I made sure Mara was heading toward the elevators before I stepped back into the examination room. Kendall crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the ceiling, trying to set her chin in defiance but couldn’t quite keep it from trembling. I pulled a chair close to her bedside and sat. “You’ve had quite the day,” I said.

“Are you going to start yelling at me, too?” she asked hatefully, her voice raspy. Most likely from the tube that was shoved down her throat. “My dad freaked out. How could you do this, Kendall? How could you do this to us?” She lowered her voice, mimicking her father. “Like it had anything to do with them.”

“It didn’t?” I asked. “Your parents have been focusing a lot of their attention on Cora…”

“You think I swallowed those pills because I’m jealous? Are you kidding me? I just want it all to go away.”