Chapter 4

My mother released Ms. Levitt's arm and slowly walked toward the water basin.

As she walked, she said.

"Once he's done washing, I need to make sure he dries his hands thoroughly. Who knows how many bacteria are in that basin water."

"When we get home, I'll have to wash him again with hot water and soak him in disinfectant for ten minutes."

My mother walked to about three meters from the basin and stopped.

She saw that the water seemed a bit murky and was tinged with a faint reddish color.

My mother frowned.

"This water is so dirty, it smells like rust. When we get home I'll definitely have to scrub him twice with body wash."

My mother shook her head in disgust and continued walking forward.

Finally, she could see clearly what was in the basin.

I wasn't crouching by the edge—I was face down, lying in the water.

My small arms hung on either side of my body, rising and falling gently with the ripples on the water's surface.

My mother's footsteps paused.

"Ernest? What are you doing?"

"Lift your head up. The water is dirty, don't lie in it."

Her tone was impatient.

I didn't move. I couldn't move.

"Ernest."

She bent down and grabbed my collar, pulling upward.

Still muttering.

"Get up, get up, your clothes are all wet, now I'll have to wash them again!"

"Do you have any idea how hard clothes are to wash!"

My face emerged from the water.

My mother's hand froze.

The face was a bluish-purple color.

There was a gash on my forehead that had turned pale from being soaked in water.

My mother's hand gripping my collar started trembling.

Her throat felt blocked, unable to make a sound.

Behind her came Ms. Levitt's urgent footsteps.

She saw me in my mother's hands, saw that bluish-purple little face, and screamed.

Her knees went weak and she collapsed by the edge of the basin.

With trembling hands, she took me from my mother, laid me on the ground, turned my head to the side, and pried open my mouth to let the water flow out.

Then she interlaced her fingers and pressed them on my chest, pushing down rhythmically.

Crying as she pressed.

"Ernest, spit it out! Spit it out!"

One. Two. Three.

My head lolled limply with each compression.

My mother knelt by the basin's edge, her entire body frozen, not moving at all.

Behind her, Ms. Levitt compressed for a full two minutes until her arms gave out, finally stopping.

She collapsed on the ground, her voice full of despair.

"Call 911... quickly call 911!"

"Ernest isn't breathing..."