Adonie had been speaking. There was a pause and then she spoke again.
I opened my eyes and she was just above me. I could see all the wrinkles in her shirt.
The lines of worry tightening her face eased. I must have looked
irritated enough to be normal as I realized that she
was kneeling over me. I struggled up onto an elbow but, oddly, I seemed
instead to float toward the coach. Adonie's arms were about me.
She was speaking again and I focused on her voice marveling at how much
her voice was like light.

The lamplight seemed so soft.
"....I've called Molly. She's coming. You're to keep still until she arrives."
"Where's Olive?" I asked through closed eyes.
"She's here. Just at the end of the couch."
I started to sit but Adonie's hands were on me. "Didn't you hear me? You're to stay as you are. Molly's coming."
"Something stinks."
"The lamp was scorching the rug. I moved it. It's all right. Just lie still like you are."