Annie Oakley's Arc

Chapter 19 of 25

Temperance came back with the bread wrapped in a cloth. She stepped onto the deck and set it on the small table by the rail. Annie was not on the step where she had left her. A sound came from the side of the cabin. Annie was on her knees in the grass by the deck rail, throwing up into the dirt. Her hat had fallen off. Her braid hung forward over her shoulder. Temperance crossed the deck fast and knelt beside her. She pulled the braid back and held it. Her other hand went flat between Annie's shoulder blades and rubbed in slow circles. "Get it up," Temperance said. "Don't fight it." Annie heaved again. Her whole body shook. When she stopped, she sat back on her heels and burst into tears. Her hands went to her stomach and pressed hard, like she could hold the pain inside. "That tummy feels awful right now," Temperance said. "You appear to be flaring badly." "I need Lainey," Annie sobbed. "I'll get her. Just go inside and lay down." Annie nodded. Temperance helped her up. Annie's legs wobbled. Temperance kept a hand on her arm until they reached the door. The cabin was warm inside. A brown cockapoo lifted its head from the rug by the stove and thumped its tail once. Annie had brought the dog with her that morning and forgotten it was here. "Couch," Temperance said. Annie lay down on her side. The dog got up and pressed itself against her belly without being asked. Annie put a hand on its back and cried into the cushion. Temperance pulled a quilt over her. She poured a cup of water and set it on the floor where Annie could reach. "I'm going now," Temperance said. "You stay put. Don't get up for anything." "The bread—" "Leave it. You can't hold it yet." Annie closed her eyes. Temperance stood a second longer, watching her breathe. Then she went out the door. Annie heard boots on the deck, then on the ground, then nothing. The cabin ticked around her. The cockapoo pushed its nose under her hand. She said the name again, quiet, into the fur. Once, then again. The pain did not leave. But it stopped growing. She had come here to speak about Jesus and had ended up sick in the grass instead. Temperance had not flinched. Temperance had gone for Lainey without being asked twice. Annie thought about that while she waited. The kindness she wanted to leave behind was already coming back at her from the other side. She hadn't planned for that. She lay still and let it happen. Outside, a horse moved off at a hard trot. Annie kept her hand on the dog and waited for Lainey to come.