Pearl didn’t, couldn’t say anything.

She was clasping the side of the tub. Le’al playfully peeked into Pearl’s eyes, saying "You’re OK, I won’t let you get hurt. We’re almost done. Get you in your pajamas, and . . ."

Le’al slipped. Her hand slid forward and her body followed.

Her whole body swooshed into the tub. Water rammed up her nose. She tried to scream. Her voice was gone. Her throat was full. She tried to reach for Pearl. Pearl was far away. Her legs dangled over Le’al. She could tell Pearl was struggling to keep hold of the side of the tub. She was too far away from Pearl. To help her or herself. Her arms flailed wildly. Water pushed the soap against Le’al’s head. It struck hard.

Le’al jolted over the surface. Then back under. Le’al was going down fast. Her head first. She kept fighting, trying to grab something, anything.

A nurse was watching. She saw Le’al clawing the wall. Her mouth moving, but nothing coming out. The nurse made a note: delusional. meds?