Ana realized she was on the floor. She looked around. She was alone. She got up, stumbling into the wall. Ori. She called out, but her son did not answer. She went to his room. It was empty. She turned around and reached for the wall, falling into the bathroom. She grabbed the sink and eased herself up.

Her face was tore open. Again. Blood had dried down her hairline.

Good, she thought. I can cover it easy.

Her lip was swollen. Though, not so much as before.

Must be building immunity to the swelling, she thought. So know you're the joker huh?

Ana got a clean towel off the shelf behind her. Held it under cool water. Then wiped blood from her neck, arms and hands. She left the towel on the edge of the sink. Went to the phone and dialed.

"Oh Jesus," she said, seeing blood down the inside of her legs. "You son of a bitch."

"Hello."

"Ori," she said.

"Yes ma," her son said. "Ma I'm not ready yet. You said I could call. Can I stay another day? Mike has a new game and he can't beat me yet. I told him I'll keep playing until he does."

"You are at Mike's. Cousin Mike's."

"Mom are you OK?," he asked.

"Oh sweetie. I dreamed you were home. I'm fine. One more day - unless, of course, Mike still hasn't won."

Ori laughed and hung up.

Ana felt the wet at her chin and knew she was crying.

"Hold it together."

She dialed her new employer. The answering machine came on.

"Hello Karen, this is Ana. My move is going slower than planned. I have to take you up on that offer for a few more days to get settled. Please call me back to let me know you got this message. If I don't pick up, I'm probably just under a box somewhere. So, please leave a message and I can return the call. Thank you."

She hung up, and cried.