Chapter 40

She screamed as the car hit her small body.

* * * *

Daniel’s days were endless. Time lost all meaning. Reality was out of reach. Everything became a gray flannel blur. He heard voices but he couldn’t understand what they said. He saw people but he couldn’t distinguish their faces. He didn’t remember sleeping, but he thought he must have dreamt, must be dreaming. He felt hollow inside. There was nothing left in his body. Somebody kept telling him to eat, but he didn’t even know what that meant.

He just sat in Rebecca’s hospital room, all day, every day, holding vigil over her battered body, and praying through numbed lips. He didn’t even know if he uttered words or basic animal sounds.

Carol’s touch brought Daniel crashing back to Earth. When his eyes focused on her face, he thought he must be hallucinating. She said his name. She kissed his forehead. He didn’t remember calling her. She asked him what the doctors said about Rebecca’s chances.