77

EXACTLY 4:48 IN THE AFTERNOON,
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20TH

“Hello?” says Gloria.

“Is my Baby Doll still there?” I say. Brian and Maura are upstairs giving Baby Wendy a bath. I am in my bedroom with the door shut.

“Ginny? Why are you calling? Yes, of course your sister is still here. What’s the matter?”

“Patrice says the police are going to come take it away. At the end of this week or maybe this weekend. You aren’t feeding it enough.”

Gloria stops. “Shit,” she says. “Shit, shit, shit! I knew those—Listen. Just listen! It’s great that you called me, but I have to go now. I have to get the hell out of here. I have to pack everything and get us moving before they show up.”

“Are you still coming to the little rendezvous on Tuesday, January 25th, at Cumberland Farms?” I say.

“Yes, yes, of course,” says Gloria. “But I have to figure out where to go for the next three days.”

“Four days,” I say.

“Right. Four days. Whatever. Holy shit, not two of you taken from me! I could really use my sister’s help right now! The fuckers!”

“You have to give it more food,” I say but then I hear footsteps coming down the hallway. “Someone is coming.”

“She’s just a picky eater! Like you were! Listen, keep the phone this time,” Gloria says. “I might try to call if something happens. Just keep it and hide it. Turn it off, and then check to see if I left a message after you go to bed. But don’t hide it in your room. Hide it someplace else. Outside, if you can.”

She doesn’t say which phone to keep. Brenda Richardson’s or Alison Hill’s. I start to pick at my fingers.

But then the door opens.

It is Maura. “Ginny, supper is going to be a little later than usual tonight,” she says.

The phone is behind my back. I slip it into my pocket.

“Wendy had a diaper blowout, so we’re washing her up. Then I’m going to feed her and put her down for a rest. We’ll eat at six tonight. Approximately six, okay?”

“Okay,” I say.

She shuts the door.

I take the phone out and put it to my ear. “Hello?” I say but Gloria is already gone.

I turn the phone off and open my closet door and reach for Chinese Checkers. Then I remember that Gloria said don’t hide it in your room. I don’t think I could get my hat and coat and boots without Brian and Maura hearing. I don’t think I could open the door to go outside without someone hearing me.

So I go into the kitchen and open a drawer and get some duct tape. I return to my room and open the window. I open the screen and tape Alison Hill’s phone to the side of the house. Then I shut the screen and window and sit down on my bed. I hold my quilt close to my nose and go inside my brain. Just a little bit longer, I say to my Baby Doll. I’ll be there soon to make sure you’re safe.