Another Dawn by Deb Stover Page B

morning.
           He looked at Sofie as she set plates and silverware on the table. She was so quiet. Why? Was she trying to remember something?
           Like seeing him in the electric chair?
           The back door opened and Ab shuffled inside, wiping his feet on the mat. "Mornin'," he muttered.
           "You're just in time for breakfast, Ab," Dora called over her shoulder, broadcasting a brilliant smile. "As usual."
           "Mornin', Miss Dora. Mrs. Fleming."   Ab blushed and ducked his head. "Dr. Wilson said he reckons he'll be tied up all day, but to send for him if need be."   The short, stocky man looked at Sofie and his face reddened even more beneath his beard. "He said for Miss Dr. Sofie to handle things here until he finishes out at Zeke's place."
           "Miss Dr. Sofie?" Mrs. Fleming looked at Sofie and smiled. "I'm going out there now. What shall I tell him?" The woman tied a cape beneath her chin, then lifted the heavy tray. "Can you handle things by yourself for a while?"
           Sofie's face paled and her hand trembled as she brought it to her cheek. "Tell him that's fine," she said, though her eyes revealed her uncertainty.
           "Very well."   Mrs. Fleming nodded in open approval. "I'll be back a little later. Dora, show Sofie where everything is if she has questions."
           "Yes, Mother."
           "Frank Latimer was first in line for his inoculation," Ab offered, his tone reserved.  
           "What?" Mrs. Fleming looked back, her eyes wide. "That horrible man?"
           "Come for his rightful share of the serum, he said."   Ab shrugged.
           Mrs. Fleming's nostrils flared and she squared her shoulders. "The world would be better off if he'd died and his brother's widow had been spared."
           Confused, Luke looked around the room, trying to digest all the names and information. Frank Latimer was obviously not well- liked.
           "That reminds me, Sofie, I almost forgot that we need to talk to Jenny this morning," Mrs. Fleming said. "I'll come back after–"
           "Latimer was askin' about the girl, too," Ab said, looking downward as he spoke. "Said he'd raise his kin."
           "Over my dead body."   Mrs. Fleming's lips thinned and her eyes snapped. She drew a deep breath, then said, "Jenny Latimer would be better off dead than living with the likes of him, uncle or no uncle."
           "I reckon. Seem's he's concerned 'bout Charlie's mine."   Ab appeared apologetic. "He also asked about the boy–wanted to know when the hangin's supposed to take place."
           Hanging ? Luke's blood turned to ice as he recalled the kid in the jail. Young and sentenced to die...
           Like me.              
           "That horrible event should never take place," Mrs. Fleming said. Then without another word, she took her tray and waited for Ab to open the door for her. She left without even glancing back.
           Dora placed a platter of bacon and another of eggs on the table. "Better wash up, Ab," she said, her expression grim. She shook her head. "I still can't believe they plan to hang that boy."
           "That boy killed a man, Miss Dora."   Ab's tone was gentle as he crossed the room to a pitcher and bowl near the huge wood burning stove. "In these parts, the law takes an eye for an eye."
           Luke's mouth went dry and he looked at Sofie's furrowed brow. The expression in her eyes was pure confusion as she met his gaze.
           Don't remember yet, Sofie. Please, not yet.
           "That man needed killing."   Dora slammed the pan of biscuits onto the table and poured steaming coffee into cups.  
           "I reckon that's a fact."   Ab sat at the table and tucked his napkin into his collar.  
           Luke didn't protest as Dora forked enough bacon onto his plate to send his cholesterol into orbit. A pair of eggs, sunnyside up,