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“Miss Markham? Can you hear me?” a nurse asked.
I peeked open one eye to make sure she was the only one in there. Maybe it was just a nightmare, but I could have sworn I heard Halli’s mother’s voice. Even if I were feeling a hundred percent healthy, that woman would be the last person I wanted to see.
But the nurse and I were alone. I went ahead and opened my eyes.
“There you are!” she said. “How are you feeling?” She had a beautiful voice, with a soft, lilting accent that sounded like she might be from the Caribbean or somewhere like that. It felt very soothing to my ears.
I licked my chapped lips.
“Water?” the nurse asked.
I nodded.
She helped me with the straw, then held the cup while I drew in fresh clean water. It felt so good on my tongue and my lips. Like rain on a pile o
