I turned to her. “Ma?”
But Dolly wasn’t there.
Dolly wasn’t to my right, and Dolly wasn’t to my left.
Oh shit.I closed my eyes a split second before all hell broke loose.
We lay her on the couch with a cushion under her legs.
“Does she have any medical conditions?”
“Poor thing. It’s probably jet lag. The time difference always gets to me.”
“Dolly? Can you hear me?”
“Is she diabetic?”
“Any heart problems?”
“Dolly, open your eyes.”
“Everybody, just…” My voice rose over everyone else’s. “Give her a minute. It happens to her once in a while. She’ll be fine.” I knelt beside my mother and rubbed her palm.
“Yes, let’s not crowd around. Give her some room.” Rachel Auntie came through with reinforcements. “Hannah, you can get dinner started. Moti and I will look after Dolly.”
After a few reassurances, everyone moved to the dining table, concerned but satisfied that Rachel Auntie and I knew what we were doing.
“I think she’s really out this time,” I whispered.
Dolly’s face was pale and her forehead was dotted with a faint sheen of sweat.
Rachel Auntie wasn’t convinced. “Come on, Dolly, that’s enough.”
“Her hand is limp,” I said.
“Let me see.”
We exchanged a look. Either Dolly was getting really good at it, or we had a real case of the faints this time.
“What happened?” Rachel Auntie asked.
“Nothing. She started acting weird when she saw Sofia.”
“God. Not this again. Dolly.” Rachel Auntie pried Dolly’s eye open. “Dolly, wake up.” As if she’d be able to hear better with one eyeball exposed.
“What’s the deal with her and Sofia?” Having a conversation with one of Dolly’s eyes bulging at us was weird. I nudged Rachel Auntie’s hand away.
“No one knows.” Rachel Auntie sighed. “One minute they’re best friends. Inseparable. Can’t live without each other. And the next, they hate each other’s guts.”
“Unghhh.” Dolly’s head turned toward us.
“Oh, thank God.” Rachel Auntie kissed the cross around her neck.
“Rachel?” My mother’s voice was soft and weak.
“Yes, Dolly. I’m here.”
“You fucking cunt.”
