nstant, dull headache. The world outside my window was gray a

eam Home was no longer ours; it was just mine, a vast, empty sp

however,

funereal-looking lilies. She wore a new cashmere sweater I kne

ake sympathy. "I heard about your little fall. I felt

Daniel is just so worried about you. But he's been swamped with

casual mention that twisted the knife. I

hand. "Don't you worry about a thing at the f

of this torment, leaving the sickl

ter the door closed behind her. "Coming here, flaunting t

. "You can't blame a snake for being a snake. You o

cenery. I decided to take a walk in the garden, th

was vibrant and alive. I breathed in the scen

l, shivering ball of black f

eyes huge and green in its tiny face. It looke

og had bitten me when I was a child, an

t away. "Get out of h

k a wobbly step forward, then another, until it was

a part of me I though

light, so fragile. It curled up in my han

d, a real smile touching my li