3. Susanne
Dr. Grounder?
Hi, you might not remember me, I’m Susanne Germaine. From the family reunion?
Yes, yes, Robert’s cousin.
The reunion was a swell experience, wasn’t it. Meeting all the folks –
Judd? Ha, my baby is nearly twelve years old, Dr. Grounder.
Phillip? Ok, I’ll remember that. My babies are actually the reason why I’m calling you this evening.
Yes, babies. There are two. Or at least there were two.
Pause.
I need your help, Dr. Grounder—I mean Phillip.
She’s run away.
Yes, my baby. My child. She came into the family a few years after the reunion. I guess you didn’t hear about it.
Ha, no. She was adopted.
Yes, from Korea.
Pause.
Well it all started when. Well, I don’t know when it all started.
Don’t you think I’m trying?
I’m sorry for losing my temper. I’ve had a long day. [Muttering]
Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself.
Not in the crazy way I mean. I’m just a little depressed, you know?
Yes, that’s why I’m talking to you. I’m depressed and I need help. That-
At least you’re a physician. You have an education unlike me. Can’t you see I’m desperate?
You are too qualified! Look, I have no idea where my little girl is. I want her back. But as the days go on…
Just because I just admitted I don’t have a high school diploma doesn’t mean I don’t know when to call the police. I called the police immediately after I noticed she was gone.
A few days ago.
Pause.
Or a week.
I do to know! What am I doing talking to you anyway?
Where am I? Where am I? Who knows! I might be rotting in hell, I may be—
I know I need help. I’m somewhere. I’m not sure.
He’s at home. Just came back from the beach.
At home with Scott. Poor thang, has to hear his mother going crazy.
Pause.
Pause.
Phillip?
Pause.
Dr. Grounder?
Susanne woke up with a jolt. She could hear her own sweat laughing at her for being so scared over a silly dream. Susanne turned over on her side only to see that there was no one there.
Her body suddenly felt cold, deprived of the warmth from her husband. She was alone. She squinted to see the clock. It was either 8:45 or 5:15. She guessed the latter. A yawn crept out of her throat and squeezed its way to her mouth.
I better get up anyway, she thought.
Susanne made her way down the stairs quite slowly, dodging the invisible Barbie dolls and crayons.
She smiled at the non-existent hand drawn picture on the refrigerator, while pulling out a carton of 2% milk. The box of cocoa mix was empty but Susanne grabbed a packet anyway and poured it in a tall mug. The cold white milk gracefully poured out over the counter, missing the mug entirely.
As she put the mug in the microwave, she heard her daughter scream.
The mug dropped to the floor with a crash and transformed itself into a million pieces of glass. Susanne bent down to pick the mug back up and pricked her finger. Blood oozed out. Cherry red blood—the color of Lucy’s cheeks.
Susanne touched her finger to her lips and gave it a kiss.
