Victoria unlatched the main door, but she kept the black wire screen door locked between us.

She had a dark gray cardigan wrapped tightly around her shoulders, and both hands were pressed flat against her waist.

“She’s sleeping, Brenda,” Victoria whispered through the wire mesh, her voice hoarse and clipped.

“I told you yesterday she needs complete quiet.”

“I brought her lunch,” I said, holding the warm dish steady between us.

“I can go upstairs, set it on her nightstand, and be gone in two minutes.”

“The doctor ordered no light and no noise for three days,” Victoria said.