It hadn’t been that long since I saw her and it was way too early for her to be showing. Sitting there, looking at Demetria and remembering the awful conversation with Nick, I couldn’t believe I’d let so many days go by without coming. What was I thinking, allowing my golden opportunity to tick away, minute by minute, like this? It made me angry with myself and determined to get it out there today, even if I had to ask her point-blank. Demetria would be released someday, maybe soon. I’d wasted so much time already. I leaned in close, smelling the industrial clean of generic detergents wafting from her gown. “Demetria,” I said, speaking low, to be sure the nurse behind me wouldn’t hear. “I need to talk to you about your visions.” It took a minute, but slowly her eyes drifted up, connecting with mine. I felt a surge of elation. “There’s a reason I’ve been coming to see you so often,” I said urgently. “It’s not just because I needed someone to talk to. That was true, but really it’s that …”
