Chapter 20

I slowly doubled over on my hands and knees, as if that would somehow stop the coughing spasms. The left side of my body became paralyzed and I twisted as gently as possible until I stopped feeling the violent sting, but it was too late. I had spit everything on the filthy floor of the car and my breathing sounded hollow; each exhalation came out of my mouth accompanied by a severe growl that did not come from my trachea. The smell of the filthy floor made me nauseous.

I figured that’s what a dog with distemper must feel like; it was humiliating.

Mirko helped me lie down, desperate with fear, yelping and whimpering.

“Dad! Dad, tell me what to do!”

“Water…” I managed to stammer, saliva dripping between my fangs.

Mirko disappeared from my side and returned with a bottle. I fell on my good side and twisted again, looking for the most comfortable position, until the pain subsided and I could breathe again. I drank from the bottle that my son placed in front