“She makes up stories,” Thomas said.

“She does it every time she gets herself worked up over a dream.”

“Kids don’t call nine one one over ordinary dreams,” María said.

“She didn’t call anybody,” Thomas said.

“The phone in her room isn’t even connected to the wall.”

María looked up at the ceiling molding, where a thin beige phone cord ran along the white paint toward the back bedroom.

“That wire is live as we speak,” María said.