“Had to take Seth’s Studebaker back to him.”

“What, you take it one piece at a time?”

“Sal, just leave him alone,” her mom said.

“Just leave him alone, eh? And leave you alone, eh? Mondo boia!” He snatched the catalog, spilling her coffee.

“What you looking for in here, more towels?”

“Another husband.” She met his eyes directly now. He made as if he were going to hit her, but she wasn’t afraid and didn’t flinch.

Cupping both hands over his crotch, he shouted, “Sei la regina puttana della merda!”

Frank went to leave the kitchen, but their father took hold of his shoulder. Frank shoved his hand off and walked out. Their father followed.

“Get your damn hands off me,” Annie heard Frank shout. Her mom got up and hurried after them. Annie listened to the sharp strife of their voices. Lifting her bandaged foot just a little, she stretched the arch as much as she could and then hit it against the floor. After a few seconds she felt it—as if something had touched her bone. The blood quickly soaked through the bandage. She hopped into the other room, where the three of them were screaming, took her father’s hand, and said quietly, “Papa, can you take me back to the hospital?”

They all went quiet as she raised her foot a little. Blood was dripping onto the floor.

“Oh, baby, what happened?” Her mom stepped away. She had a horror of blood or illness of any kind.

“I’ll take her,” Frank said.

“Papa will take me.” Annie met her brother’s eyes and he looked away, ashamed. The telephone rang.

“Keep your foot up,” her father told her, getting his coat on.

Her mom answered the phone and Annie heard her say, “She can’t speak now…. Yes…. No, she—okay.” She called to Annie. “Annie, it’s Alvin’s mom. Is important. One minute.”

“She has to go, eh,” her father said angrily, as Annie took the phone.

“Hello?”

“Annie,” Alvin’s mom said, “I know you have your family with you.” There was a pause. “Alvin told me about you finding Mrs. Barnacle.” Silence again. “Annie, Alvin is very…upset.”

“I haven’t said anything,” Annie said. “I won’t say anything to anyone.”

She could hear Alvin’s mom making strange sounds, stifled breaths.

Her father snatched the receiver out of her hand. “She got to go now, Mrs. Hewitt. Sorry.” He put the phone down. “What you not tell anyone?” he asked her.

“Sal, the blood’s dripping from her foot, look,” her mom said.