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“Mom won’t wake up”

Grandma put down the metal bucket and lifted the cement-sack towel that covered the cracked porcelain pitcher on the nightstand Silt-fine dust sifted to the floor She dipped a washrag into water and wrung the excess into the basin, then placed the washrag on Mom’s forehead “She isn’t feverish,” Grandma said Then: “Elsa?”

Mom didn’t respond

Granded a chair into the roo, just sat there Then, finally, she sighed “He left us, too, Elsa It is not only you He left all the people he said he loved I’ll never forgive him for that”

“Don’t say that!” Loreda said

“Silenzio,” Grandma said “A woman can die of a broken heart Do not make it worse”

“It’s her fault he left She wouldn’t go to California”

“In your vast experience with enius, Loreda I’m sure it’s a comfort to your mama”

Grandma dabbed the cool ashcloth on Moht now, Elsa You can’t unlove someone even if you want to, even if he breaks your heart I understand not wanting to wake up Lord, with this life of ours, who could blahter needs you, especially now She is as foolish as her father Ant worries me, too” Grandma leaned closer, whispered, “Remember the first tih and how he squeezes so hard when he hugs you Your children, Elsa Remember Loreda … Anthony…”

Moed breath, and sat up sharply, as if she’d been thrown ashore, and Grandma steadied her, took her in her arms and held her

Loreda had never heard sobbing like this She thought Mo When she was finally able to breathe without sobbing, Moed There was no other word for it

“Loreda, Ant, please leave us,” Grandma said

“What’s wrong with her?” Loreda asked

“Passion has a dark edge If your father had ever grown up, he would have told you this instead of filling your head with fluff”

“Passion? What does that have to do with anything?”