page 99

Day eight

The nurse prescribes some interest in my appearance and introductions to my roommates. My mother prescribes a bright smile, messages from siblings and friends, and hands to rearrange what is too far away.

I prescribe hiring a TV for a month, and small forays into conver-sations with the women across the way. Some friends prescribe a blank book for writing. How do you begin to put words on it?