Mary-Sue shuddered at the word attacked. Kate softened her approach. She held her mother’s hand, moved at how tiny and pale it had become. But Mary-Sue pulled away before Kate could see the happy-face scar on her inner wrist, , her souvenir from the unfortunate encounter with a Prius in the Publix lot. (Mary-Sue hadn’t heard the damn car coming; the driver didn’t stop because he never realized he’d hit her. It was a prosaic, irritating, humiliating, expensive mishap.)

“I’ll pay you back for your airplane ticket,” Mary-Sue said, “if you want to go.”

“Don’t change the subject. Mom, who did this to you? I’m not going to judge you or think you were asking for it.”

“Of course I wasn’t asking for it! I don’t want to discuss it anymore.” Mary-Sue’s eyes ignited. “I hate being this frail, okay? You think it’s fun being old? Catching up with friends, finding new hobbies? That’s all a pile of horseshit. Propaganda from drug companies, corporate America and the fucking AARP!”

Mary-Sue calmed herself down by staring at Kate’s belly.

“Is there a father in the picture?”

“No.”

“Well, who’s going to take care of you when the baby comes?”

“I’m the age you were when you got me, and you did it on your own.”

“How many more months?”

“Four. I think.”

Mary-Sue paused. “Move out here. Let me take care of you, and the little one. At least till you’ve figured it out.” Then realizing the ridiculousness of making this offer while she lay in a hospital bed, Mary-Sue started laughing.

“Don’t burst those stitches.” Kate placed her head on the bed next to her mother’s arm. A wave of exhaustion swept over her and she closed her eyes. She felt like climbing onto the bed and curling up by Mary-Sue, sucking in her Mommy smell. She could sleep right there, she could reclaim every one of the million and forty winks she’d lost.

Neither of them heard Larry open the door.

“Oh, forgive me, ladies. Take your time. I’ll be right outside.”

“No, Larry, don’t you go.” Mary-Sue jerked her head up. “Take this woman with you. I’ve got to go to the bathroom anyhow, and I doubt that either of you want to be here for that.” She reached for the nurse’s call button and pushed it. “And don’t you let her come back till I’m on my feet.” She elbowed Kate to get up. “Hospitals are so damned depressing. If I were you, I’d go to the Coconut Grove and get myself some piña coladas—and yes, they make virgin ones for persons in your condition. Or South Beach, where the young people like you congregate. Take an airboat ride through the Everglades. Just don’t come back here. Hospitals are such awful, awful places. And Larry?”

“Yes’m?”