She followed him like a chastened dog. As they walked out, she said, “Why can’t I stay with Mommy at the hospital?”

“Because you can’t. The good news is Gabe will be here in a couple of days.” He held up the violin case. “How long have you played?”

“Five years.” A pause. “Gabe says you play the cello.”

“I do.” Silence. “That’s how I met your mother. We were in orchestra together. She also played the violin.”

“She told me she was terrible.”

“She was.” He let out a small laugh. “But her face more than made up for her lack of talent.” He regarded the girl. “You’d better learn how to handle yourself with boys. They’re all dogs. Don’t trust any of them.”

“I don’t like boys.”

“One day you will.”

“No, I won’t. I want to be a doctor like my mom. You have to study to do that. I don’t have time for stupidity.”

“Yeah, boys are very stupid. Stop walking. This is the car.” Donatti opened the door and she slid in the passenger side. He started the engine and took off. “I have to go back to take care of your mother. You’re going to be alone in the room until Gabe gets here. No one is allowed in there except Gabe and me.”

“How do I get out?”

“You don’t unless I say so. I’ll bring you meals. I’m sorry, but after what happened to your younger brother, your protection is my responsibility, okay?”

She nodded. Her lip was trembling.

“I’ll get you some teachers. Have you learned any languages other than English?”

“Hindi.”

“I’ll start you on Spanish and French. I’ll also get you a violin teacher. That’ll keep you busy. Are you hungry?” He checked his watch. It was three in the morning. “Want me to get you a hamburger or a pizza?”

“I’m vegan.”

“Vegan?”

“I’m Hindu. I like rice and vegetable curry, if that’s okay.”

Donatti said, “You can’t grow on shit like that.”

She shrugged. “I’m growing, so I guess you can.”

“Don’t sass me ever,” he growled out. “I don’t like it.”

She turned quiet.

Donatti said, “I’m not a nice man. But if you’re respectful, we’ll be okay.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I said you can call me Chris.”

She didn’t answer. A wave of fatigue suddenly overwhelmed him. He usually worked until four-thirty in the morning, but work wasn’t stressful. This was way beyond stressful. “How about if I give you a pass because you had a hard day? You and me both.”