NADINE POINT OF VIEW.

Her eyes were tired and her voice sounded even wearier than they had on the phone. She looked thinner, as if she was not eating well, and there was something off about her dressing, as if she hurriedly put on her clothes.

"Nadine, hi," she said as she gave me a side hug.

"Naomi," I said, trying to sound as cheery as possible.

"Guess what, Naomi," Anna said, her voice vibrant with the promise of life.

"What, baby?" Naomi asked, leaning in to listen.

"So the doctor was ...