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I clear my throat and look at ree with me Your father shouldn’t be left alone with the brides you clai for the door, "she was always a cynic You need your rest; I’ll check on you in a bit"

He doesn’t slam the door behind hiainst the pillows, heartsick with guilt In all ourto know ot to know hi himself to say her name, much less hear that her body is still a part of his father’s experi the only child Rose ever gave him The child that could still be here, malformed but alive

It’s true that Linden has no reason to believe me But I saw the belief in his eyes Now he can’t even look at e the fact that Deirdre and who kno , rown-up, has no idea of the danger she’s in Linden is shocked by all this, and really, ouldn’t he be? I think of the moment when I learned of Rose’s baby, how stunned and sickened I was I wanted a more co that has to be blurted There’s no kind way to tell it

I’m pinned to this bed by the wires inI can do but wait Even if I could get up and find Linden, he’s in no state to listen toaway, he certainly hates me for what I’ve just said But at least I am sure that no amount of hatred would cause him to allow his father near me He’ll coes move without sound on the screen Dreary side roads, cratered buildings that vaguely resemble houses The air is ashen fro newscaster walks backward, chattering into a nize her as the nationwide correspondent; this particular segment airs in every state The caption reads: Pro-naturalist rebels disagree with antidote efforts

The newscaster stoops down She’s too clean and pris, and her red heels are starting to be overtaken withfilthy and exhausted but eager to speak

One of therily that she leans back The camera pans in on hiht and eager And if not for thenize him at all Because those eyes are exactly like mine I open my mouth to speak, and only a cry escapes I cover eable, then try again

"Rowan"