Chapter 10: Renata Wakes

Renata's eyes were open.

They were hazel and dull and slow, and they moved around the white room one corner at a time.

The whole family stood around the bed.

Consuelo held one rail, Lorena's mother held the other, and her father stood at the foot with his hat in his hands.

Ignacio stood in the corner by the door.

The doctor lifted a hand for quiet.

"She understands us," he said. "She can't speak above a whisper yet. Give her time."

Renata's lips moved.

Lorena's mother leaned in so close her pearls touched the blanket.

"Mi vida, I'm here," she said. "Mamá's here."

Renata's eyes passed over her mother, over Consuelo, over her father.

They stopped on Lorena.

"You're thin," Renata whispered.

Lorena let out a sound that was half a laugh.

"You've been asleep for a year. I think you're allowed to be rude."

"Come here."

Lorena came to the bed.

Renata's hand lifted from the blanket and found hers.

The fingers were weak, but they held on.

"Who did my hair?" Renata whispered.

"I did. Every Sunday."

"I could hear you."

"What did I say?"

"You were reading." Renata's mouth moved into a ghost of a smile. "You always read too fast."

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