Skip Rock Shallows by Jan Watson Page A

almost hear the words her mentor, Dr. Coldiron, would choose: “Why, they’ll fix you right up—you’ll be your old self in no time.” He believed it was kindest to couch the truth in platitudes to keep up a good front. It was generally accepted by modern physicians that the shock of full knowledge could send a seriously ill person into a final decline. The dear doctor was the soul of kindness, but anything less than the total truth went against Lilly’s grain. Besides, Aunt Orie was tough enough to take it.
    “The medicine will give you a fighting chance, Aunt Orie. At the very least, you’ll be more comfortable.”
    “All right then.” Orie cupped her palm. “I’m ready to try. Armina, fetch me some of that water yonder.”
    Lilly knelt by the chair again. “I took a script to the pharmacy in town. They had to send out for the medicine. I should have it filled soon.” She closed Orie’s palm and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “If you agree to take the medication, you’ll have to come to the clinic so I can monitor you for a few days.”
    “Oh no. No. I cain’t do that.” Orie shook her head so hard, her jowls slapped. “I cain’t be leaving these kids to fend for themselves.”
    “It’s your choice, of course. I can’t force you.”
    Orie dropped her head. Her chins flattened against her broad chest like pancake mix in a hot skillet. “Cain’t Armina give me them drastics? She’s good at doctoring.”
    “Yes, she is, but I wouldn’t be comfortable putting her in that position. I’m sorry, Orie. I know this is hard for you.”
    A single tear tracked down Aunt Orie’s face and disappeared in the folds of her neck. “I feel like death’s a-standing on my porch with a warrant, just waiting to serve me.” She took a minute to gather her strength. “I don’t want to die and leave these young’uns. I’ll do whatever you want if it can borrow me some time.”
    Two sets of eyes peered fearfully from underneath the bed. Sissy crawled out and toddled over to hang on Aunt Orie’s skirt. Bubby tried to stand before he had cleared the bed frame. He bumped his head hard. His loud bawls mixed with Sissy’s snuffling and Aunt Orie’s whistling breaths.
    Armina stuck an extra pillow behind Aunt Orie’s back, stooped to swipe Sissy’s nose with the skirt of her apron, and dragged Bubby out from under the bed. She brushed his silky hair back from his face. “You’ll have a goose egg. Let’s make you a cool compress.”
    With Bubby on her hip, she went to the washstand and took a sip of water from the long-handled gourd dipper. “This ain’t cold.” The granite bucket clanged against the side of the stand. “I’ll be right back.”
    Lilly scooped up Sissy. “I’ll come along.”
    Armina nudged the cowbell on the table by Orie’s chair. “Ring if you need me.”
    The sun bore down, bright as the yolk of an egg, as Lilly followed Armina to the well house. Like the cabin itself, the structure was well built and several degrees cooler than outside. Armina lowered a wooden bucket attached to a rope down the well, hauled it back up, and poured fresh water into her granite bucket.
    Sissy rocked against Lilly’s hip. “Pash?” she crowed. “Pash!”
    Armina dipped her fingers in the water and flicked them in Sissy’s face. The tiny girl recoiled from the cold drops as she shrieked with laughter. “Do Bub. Do Bub.”
    Bubby turned up his face and Armina splashed him. It did Lilly’s heart good to see the childish joy, but once again she wondered how Armina kept up with her burdens. It seemed decidedly unfair.
    Back outside, heat waves shimmered on the surface of the yard. Lilly shaded her eyes against the brightness.
    Ned approached and reached for the water bucket. “Let me help.”
    “I don’t need no help!” Armina said, jerking it away. Half the water slopped over the side of the bucket, drenching her skirts and Lilly’s too.
    Armina inhaled sharply. The water might as well have