Dreadful Skin by Cherie Priest

just now I was standing here wondering about these meetings, and here you are, full of answers. It’s practically a sign, don’t you think?”
    “You mean, from heaven?”
    “From heaven, of course. From God—the same one we’ve both been known to pray to. Though my goodness, it’s awfully hot out here, wouldn’t you say? If it wouldn’t embarrass you too much to be seen with me, I’d like to step inside and bother you a bit further. This is all terribly interesting, Mr.…?”
    “Leonard,” he said quickly. “I’m Leonard Dwyer, ma’am. And I would be honored for a chance to share my faith with you.” Leonard held out an elbow, crooked and prepared to take a lady’s hand.
    Eileen placed her fingers on his arm and let him lead her away from the tree with its nailed-down notice. She walked with him along the main street of Holiness, Texas—past tall, flat-fronted clapboard stores, a barber shop with a red and white pole, a doctor’s office, and a pub.
    ( No , she reminded herself. They’re called saloons out here .)
    Leonard caught her gazing at the saloon and shook his head. “It’s a shame, but there’s nothing to be done about the place. Reverend Aarons tried to organize a temperance movement but the population was not…receptive.”
    She glanced around, seeing mostly worn-looking men on horses. “I should think not. There aren’t many families, are there?”
    “No. Most of the people passing through Holiness are on their way farther west, where they’ll look for gold. Some of them are Chinamen who’ve been working on the railroads, and a few others are ranchers. But this is no kind of place to raise children. Despite the name, ‘Holiness’ isn’t frequented by many virtuous women like yourself.”
    “Ah. You’re speaking of Red Annie’s,” she said.
    He blushed beneath his sunburn. “Yes ma’am, indirectly. Those aren’t the only women in town, but they might as well be.”
    “Every place has them,” she said quietly.
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “No, I’m sorry. I beg yours . I didn’t mean to let my mind wander; it’s only that I’m very far from home. But some things are the same everywhere, and did I mention that’s where I’m staying?”
    “Where you’re…at Red Annie’s? But you can’t stay there!”
    “Why not? The rooms are clean, the girls are kind—there are only four of them, did you know that? No, I guess you wouldn’t, and I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. But the place is well-kept and I’ve never met a more agreeable hostess than Mrs. Shannon. Her parents came from my own country, and we’ve found much to talk about.”
    Leonard’s skin burned bright against the stained white of his collar. “It just seems—”
    “You know, when I was still living in the church, there were ministries that helped women of their kind. There were the laundries, of course, but I never cared for those. I preferred to teach them to read, to find better employment. Honestly, dear—I am not uncomfortable at Red Annie’s. If anything, I’m strangely happy there—because in a place so foreign to me as this one, I’m relieved to observe that some things never change.”
    She watched a series of dueling reactions battle on his face, and she was pleased when he finally resolved to be amused.
    “Some things are the same everywhere,” he said weakly.
    “Some people are the same everywhere. Human nature, I’m sure you’ll agree, is more constant than any other thing under the sun. People everywhere seek the divine; we know we’re sinful and imperfect, and we look to God when we wish to improve ourselves.”
    Back again on solid moral and theological ground, Leonard nodded with vigor. “Sinful, yes.” He clung to the word for a few seconds before pushing forward. “And that’s what the camp meetings are for, and about. Of course.”
    “Of course,” she nodded and let him continue. She listened to every word, weighing it against what she already knew; and later