Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 53
Edward watched helplessly. He couldn't very well ask Carmen's mother to cut her visit short, nor could he dictate how she ought to behave around her own daughter, not without divulging Carmen's secret.
He was grateful for the presence of his sister and mother, though even that was beginning to grate on his nerves. He had taken two weeks off from his residency to stay home with his wife and new daughter. He had hoped that it would be enough time to establish a routine for Ella and set Carmen on a treatment plan. But he couldn't get a handle over things with the house teeming with people, none of whom had any clear idea what exactly was at stake.
Alice, ecstatic to be an aunt, was perhaps too enthusiastic to notice anything amiss when she flew back home after three days. Esme, however, recognized something in Carmen's endless fatigue and detachment. During her visit, she had devoted nearly all of her time to dote on Ella, hoping to give Carmen some uninterrupted time to spend with her mother. Sensing Carmen's distress at being harangued by Elvira, Esme tried to step in to comfort the young girl.
"Don't be so hard on her, Elvira," Esme said one day as she heard Elvira make a comment about Carmen's poor housekeeping skills. "Being a mom for the first time is ridiculously tough. You should have seen my house after Edward was born. Besides, the place looks just fine to me. Carmen is doing quite well, all things considered," she added, picking up Ella from her crib to check if she needed to be changed.
She spoke with sincere affection and sympathy, not realizing her words would trigger a devastating outburst in Carmen.
"Considering what things exactly?" Carmen asked in a steely voice.
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