Если я останусь

           She’swalkingfast,keepingagoodtenfeetbetweenherandhermotherastheymarchdownthehalls.Suddenlyhershouldersgouplikeacatthat’sjustspiedadog.Sheswervestofacehermother.

           "Stopit!"Kimdemands."IfI’mnotcrying,there’snof**kingwayyou’reallowedto."

           Kimnevercurses.Sothisshocksme.

           "But,"Mrs.Scheinprotests,"howcanyoubeso..."—sob—"socalmwhen—"

           "Cutitout!"Kiminterjects."Miaisstillhere.SoI’mnotlosingit.AndifIdon’tloseit,youdon’tgetto!"

           Kimstalksoffinthedirectionofthewaitingroom,hermotherfollowinglimplybehind.Whentheyreachthewaitingroomandseemyassembledfamily,Mrs.Scheinstartssniffling.

           Kimdoesn’tcursethistime.Butherearsgopink,whichishowIknowshe’sstillfurious."Mother.Iamgoingtoleaveyouhere.I’mtakingawalk.I’llbebacklater."

           Ifollowherbackoutintothecorridor.Shewandersaroundthemainlobby,loopsaroundthegiftshop,visitsthecafeteria.Shelooksatthehospitaldirectory.IthinkIknowwhereshe’sheadedbeforeshedoes.

           There’sasmallchapelinthebasement.It’shushedinthere,alibrarykindofquiet.Thereareplushchairslikethekindyoufindatamovietheater,andamutedsoundtrackplayingsomeNewAgey-typemusic.

           Kimslumpsbackinoneofthechairs.Shetakesoffhercoat,theonethatisblackandvelvetandthatIhavecovetedsincesheboughtitatsomemallinNewJerseyonatriptovisithergrandparents.