She had fallen asleep in Geneva’s guest suite without bothering to bathe. She rubbed her eyes and felt helpless as she listened to Geneva’s voice over the answering Machine. “Ellen, if you’re there, pick up.” Ellen wanted with all of her heart to pick up the phone and talk. But her voice failed her, even though she had gargled with warm salt water and slept like the dead. “Sleep, nature’s gentle nurse,” she remembered the words Shakespeare had written somewhere. However, in her case, sleep had failed her. After Geneva hung up, the phone rang a second time. Ellen clenched and unclenched her fists in despair. Had she truly lost her voice? That would mean she’d have to leave this lovely suite, beige and pink and blue, fluffy king-size bed with tufted headboard. Ellen adored her new quarters: a sitting area with couch and recliner, her own desk, a computer hooked up to the Internet, an oak cabinet with television and stereo system, her own bathroom with vanity, bathtub and shower.
