Chapter 19

Ms. Lansing motioned for Dora to join them, but for some reason she held back and stayed near the end of the line that was now working its way up the steep path to the house.

Walking behind the patients, the Hugo and Sanford staff amused themselves by listening to the women chatter.

Emily and Vera were close and easily overheard.

“It’s definitely Xanadu,” Emily said.

“Xana what?”

“The poem, ‘Kubla Khan,’” and then she went on to recite the first few lines she’d learned as a child. “My Aunt Livie was just insaneabout it.” Emily stopped and took Vera’s arm. “I’m so sorry. I did it again. I should learn to be more careful around—”

“Crazy people?”

“I deserved that,” Emily said. “I didn’t mean you, I meant—”

“My incarcerated father.” Vera laughed. “It’s okay, really. No need to apologize or mince words around this group. If anybody understands, we do.”