“People die in places like this,” Boomer said gruffly.

“People also get better in places like this,” Andy said. “Jesus, why would she do something like that to herself?” His voice was so tortured Pete took pity on him.

“This is just a guess on my part, but maybe she was trying to wash away her guilt. Look, I’m no shrink. I have a little experience dealing with them because of my mother but this…this is out of my league. I don’t think we should say anything to her husband. He’s got enough on his plate right now. Do you agree?”

Andy and Boomer nodded.

“Now what?” Andy said.

“I have to go talk to my men. I’ll be back,” Boomer said, draining his coffee cup. “Wait for me.”

“Like we have somewhere to go or anything to say,” Andy mumbled. Pete nodded slightly to show he was of the same opinion.

A volunteer wearing a pink smock and a headband to match appeared and filled their cups. Neither man moved to drink the steaming coffee.

“This out and out sucks,” Andy said. “I feel like I’m wading through a nightmare.”

All Pete could do was shake his head from side to side. “I wish I knew more about burns. I can’t believe Amy would do something like that to herself deliberately. Do you suppose she did it so we’d feel sorry for her and not tell? God Almighty, what kind of thinking is that?”

“You don’t think she’ll die, do you, Pete? Lately, we haven’t been getting along. I said some pretty terrible things, and so did she. I feel like this is my fault.”

“It’s not your fault, Andy. Amy is…Amy has a mind of her own. She’s the only one who knows why she would do something like that. If she was as bad as you said, she must have done it on purpose. When the water in a shower comes on too hot, and it does happen, you hop out of the way or jump out of the shower. At least that’s what I do. She must have used up all the hot water in the tank if it was cold when you got there. That might be for the good. I think I remember reading something about ice or cold for burns. She’s young, she’s healthy, so it might not be so bad.” Pete wondered if Andy was picking up on how lame everything he was saying sounded.

“They’re transporting Amy to a special burn unit in Pittsburgh,” Boomer said, sliding into the seat he’d vacated earlier. “I didn’t see Amy’s husband, but he is with her. The charge nurse said her condition is critical.”

Andy dropped his head to the table and banged it twice.

“Just out of curiosity, Andy, what the hell good is banging your head going to do? You are not your sister’s keeper. She has a husband who looks out for her and watches over her. There was no way you could have known she would do something like this, so stop blaming yourself,” Boomer said, not unkindly.