I stood up again, gripped the edge of the counter. “Gloria? I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. I’m sorry I ran away. I really am. I’m sorry I made you worry or if you were scared or if I was too much trouble and that’s why Telly left in the first place. I realize everything now. I’ve been doing a lot of good thinking. I really have, and I figured it all out. I’ve caused enough problems, and from now on, I’m going to be perfect. You can count on that. It’s a promise.”

She glanced at me then, and I tried to smile.

“Your dirty friend,” she said, “had quite a lot to say. Made a real mess of things.”

“You mean Carl?”

“Telly’s head is muddled with it all, but it’s going to be straightened out soon. You can’t imagine the aggravation I’ve had over it. With this mess.”

“What mess? What did he do?”

“Oh, he did plenty. But the worst of it? He killed you.”

“What?”

“Apparently, you’re dead.”

“I’m dead?”

She tilted her head. “Are you? Are you dead?”

For a split second I wasn’t sure.

“Well, you’re as good as dead. But I’m going to bring you back to life. Soon.”

“I don’t get it.”

Her eyes were wide, and her face was shiny.

“You’re going to stay right here, mister, and when Telly gets home, we’ll figure out the story. Like I already said.”

My legs were weak and wobbly, but my heart punched in my chest. “What story? What are you talking about?”

“You’ll know when you need to know.” She dropped the beans on the floor. Cold brown liquid spattered my legs. “We had a lovely dinner last night.”

“All of you? You guys had dinner together?” Without me? The sadness inside me vanished. Beneath it, a glassy spray of anger. “How long am I stuck down here? How long!”

She was so calm when she said, “Are you thick? How many times do I got to repeat myself? Until Telly says so.”

I leaned toward her, “When I get out of here, I’m going to tell everyone. Tell everyone what you did.”

“You think?”

“You’ll be screwed, Gloria.”