With caution, Emily said, ‘Hi.’ Paula turned her head back to Franzi and held Franzi’s hand. Emily said, ‘I can come back later’ Stuttering, she finished, ‘ii..if you ww…want to be alone.’

In a strong and pre-programmed voice, Paula said, ‘Thank you. Yes we do.’ And she said this without any emotion except contempt. Her voice was strong as a brick and her aura was penetrating as a knife.

Emily wasn’t expecting Paula to be there. She just wanted to come and see how Franzi was. Maybe even apologize in private.

Still nervous, Emily said, ‘I didn’t know you were here.’

Lifting her head from Franzi’s hand, but still not looking at Emily, Paula said, ‘Now you do. Now go.’

Emily definitely wasn’t expecting a warm welcome from Paula. That’s why she didn’t go to Paula’s room and headed straight to Franzi’s. Ashamed of everything, Emily stayed and said, ‘I can’t. I have to be here for her.’

Paula said, ‘Don’t worry. She’s not in a position to testify against anybody right now so I doubt you’ll be facing any jail time. Though you might want to try buttering up the owners of The Fasan.’ Emily felt Paula’s disdain and hate for her. Paula couldn’t hide her feelings if she was a Buddhist who had finally achieved Enlightenment.

Emily said, ‘I know how you’re feeling now. Atleast I think I know. Franzi was my friend, too.’

Turning her head slowly away from Franzi. Paula looked at Emily and asked, ‘Do you? YOU know how I feel? Just shut up and get out. Franzi didn’t mean shit to you. And now you have the nerve to show up here?’ Then Paula got up, walked to Emily and said, ‘Franzi was just a coke-friend to you! It wasn’t enough that you got yourself addicted! You had to drag somebody else down into the ground with you!?’

Emily said, ‘That’s not true, Paula. I didn’t mean it! You have to believe me!’

Paula replied, ‘Believe? You? How stupid do you actually think I am?’

Emily just stood there still and tried to avoid eye contact. But Paula took the next step to hurting Emily.

‘John almost got killed by your loser goddamn dealer’s buddies and now Franzi was caught in an explosion!’ Grabbing her with a tight grip, Paula hauled Emily to Franzi’s bedside and yelled, ‘You see this!? She is lying in a hospital bed, IN A COMA, connected TO A RESPIRATOR! They had to cut her open to clear out the smoke poisoning in her lungs! We told you to get your life in order and all of the sudden this happens!?’