Mama and Papa were snoring. Chick was sitting up in his bed staring at me when I eased his door open. I put my fingers to my lips. He nodded and I leaned close to him. “Did you dream?” He shook his head and touched my arm. “Want me to stop you hurting?” “Nah!” I jerked away from him. “I mean,” I whispered, “I don’t hurt. I don’t feel anything.” “That’s weird,” he muttered. He rolled over onto his pillow. His kid face, with a jelly stain on his ear, yawned. “Seems like there are a lot of people hurting. Seems like I should put them to sleep.” His hands scrabbled at the sheet. He slept.
