Chapter 27
pitch black
no, not true—light around the edges, moving shapes
hum of voices
Mari
my best friend
she’s talking to…
deep voice
calm
Mari’s voice is rising, less calm. She’s talking, what is she saying?
the low voice, can’t make it out
Mari’s hand in mine, squeezing. Try to squeeze back.
I want to squeeze back, but I can’t move my fingers.
calm voice again
and I want to know what it’s saying. What’s happening, Mari. I’m trying to squeeze back.
It’s going up, Mari says. Her hand leaving mine, I want to reach but I can’t, I want to say wait don’t go. What’s going up. What are you talking about. What’s going on.
Nothing to be concerned about
Relief, that I can hear the calm voice. Nothing to be concerned.
Pressure’s in a normal range
I know that, Mari says. I’m a fucking nurse.
Try to smile. My best friend’s a fucking nurse. Take my hand again, Mari, I can squeeze.
When will she wake up, Mari asks. That’s what I want to know.
When is she going to wake up?