”“I wasn’t complaining or trying to send you away,” Maria Cristina said quickly. “We can watch a movie, or listen to music, or go for a walk... or all of those.”“But you want to go dancing,” Annette protested.“We can dance here,” Maria Cristina said. “I’m sure Steve will take turns dancing with us. It’ll be like the parties back home where we put on CDs and dance.”“If you’re sure,” Annette said.“I’m sure! Do you have a time you have to be home?”“Not really. You know I was out until after 3:00am. As they entered the cab for the short ride, Solace tried to get L. D. to recount the incident. The only sentences she continued to utter concerned the fact that she could not see. “Everything is black, Solace. How can I dance with you? How can I guide you?” L. D. moaned. Rosanna stiffened in the seat next to her and quietly fumed. “Don’t worry about that, L. D. We’ll be able to dance and you won’t have to worry about guiding me. I know the moves. You know that.” “But I have to make sure that. I know this sucks, but I can’t line you out for one. And I know you don’t want to stay here but they’ve closed off the hospital, so all I can do is maybe send you upstairs to wait for a doctor. Not checked in, just…I’ve got a friend upstairs who can let you hang out till we clear the ER some.” The woman looked pissed. “Do we have a choice?” “Not really,” she replied honestly. “Everyone keeps talking about a virus or something, so is that what’s wrong with him?” “No, no…I don’t know really. . During your travels you glimpsed many children far luckier than you. While some were born to poor parents, and others to those of more comfortable, if not luxurious means, you considered them all far more fortunate than yourself because they all could look forward to their mother's loving caress, even under the worst of circumstances. In contrast, all you ever received from any woman was a polite thank you for services rendered, if not apathetic indifference to your very existence. This was.