She inhaled the restorative scent from the Dogo Yaro trees that lined the driveway to buoy herself and then pasted on a smile. She had been feeling woozy all day, and now the feeling seemed to be intensifying. She had come for the appointment because she had made a promise, and she of all people knew what a pain in the ass it could be for time management when someone didn't meet up with the schedule.

"Once I get this over with, I am going to put my feet up for a long, long time," She thought, then turned to Emma, who was looking at the car accusingly, and said,...