November 9, 1925

Odessa, Texas

Yesterday Daniel Carmody buried his daughter, and today he has a new son. But today he can deal with one truth only: he must hold tightly to the threads of his own reasoning, because his wife Gerty is undeniably coming undone.

Get it away from me! Gertys hoarse, cold orders blast from the open door of the bedroom and thud against the walls of the cottage. No more, I told you! I dont want no more babies!

Daniel shivers, even though the cookstove in the kitchenette warms both rooms. He is embarrassed at his own rudeness, ignoring the doctors presence not ten feet away. But none of the words that scream through his mind are polite or sensible enough to say out loud without sounding downright foolish. He wishes the doctors missus would heed Gertys demands, if only to give them all a few moments of peace.

With the rumpled sleeve of his day-old shirt, he wipes across the window of the back door and peers out through the smudge at the muddy pond covering most of the patch of yard. The outhouse fades far into the background, shadowed under gathering thunderclouds on this pale Sunday afternoon.

Let me alone! Get away from me! Gertys shriek rakes harsh against the place behind Daniels eyes.

He combs his fingers through his disheveled brown hair and kneads the back of his aching neck. He blinks hard, runs his hand over the smooth window glass. For a moment, he could have sworn there were cracks.

Hes a beautiful baby, Mrs. Carmody, the doctors wife pleads. Just look at him here, so nice and healthy! And you such a little thing, too. But we need to start him nursing, to start making your milk come in. The babys fussing turns to a hungry whimper.

Gertys voice scrapes against Daniel like a rasp. Daddy! Make them let me alone! Daddy!

Acid etches Daniels stomach. He swallows hard to hold back its burning and the shame that brings it on. If Gerty keeps this up, her daddyll be hearing her all the way to Kentucky. He is relieved to see that the doctors back is turned, that hes preoccupied with wiping a clear precise circle on the window glass with his white handkerchief.

It looks like it might The doctor flinches as a burst of white-cold lightning finishes his sentence, turning the room for an instant to stark blacks and silvers. Both men search the ceiling as though they actually expect the thunder to smash through rooftop. Daniel squeezes his eyes shut and leans his head on the glass, grateful for the chill, damp pressure against his face.

That certainly was a close one, the doctor says.

The doctors detached kindness has surely been Daniels salvation these past two days. And the wife is trying to help, too, but he wishes theyd all disappear, that he himself could disappear. Today it would take a considerable effort to think, even if he wanted to.

I dont want it! Take it out of here! Gertys voice rises to a high-pitched screech. In spite of his professional mask, even the doctors discomfort is obvious. Daniel wishes they would vanish, the doctor, his wifeand yes, even Gerty.

Go away! Get it away from me!

Especially Gerty. Mother Mary, just let him be.

Now, Mrs. Carmody, The voice of the doctors wife takes on a whine that fills the cottage with grit. I know its been hard, you being so young. I feel real bad about your little girl. But your little boy and this baby are still here, and that sweet husband of yours is heartbroke out yonder.

Daniel winces and slumps into a chair by the wooden kitchen table. Sorry, he mumbles, not sure for what. He forces himself to look up, hopes the doctor is not looking back at him. The doctor rearranges the folds of his overcoat draped over the back of the faded green living room chair. After a quick nod toward Daniel, a discreet glance at his pocket watch, the doctor turns to the window again.

Well, well see, Missy. The doctors wife pauses at the bedroom door. Youre going to have to feed this baby sooner or later. She shuts the door firmly behind her and brings the baby out into the front room where the men wait.

Daniel scrambles to his feet, bumping the table, rattling dirty saucers and cups.

Would you warm up a cup of that water we boiled? she asks him. And add a spoonful of sugar, if you will. The doctors wife tucks the wailing baby into the crook of one elbow while she pulls a clean folded handkerchief from her dress pocket. She pushes it into his hand. I didnt see any bottles anywhere. Well get him to suck some sugar water from the hanky, dear. He will do fine on that for a day . . . or two if he has to. Her frown is obviously aimed at the bedroom door.

Daniel goes to the stove, half listens to the voices behind him.

I did my best, but Im afraid I lost my patience with her. Its just not natural for a mother to refuse

No, dear, the doctor interrupts, but Mrs. Carmodys life has not been at all natural this week. Shes not herself. Im sure shell see it better by morning.

Daniel pours the warm water into a clean cup, turns just in time to hear the womans whisper, Well, I think the girls not quite right in her head!

Daniel sets the cup on the arm of the couch next to her, holds out the dripping handkerchief, not sure what to do with it. He will pretend that he didnt hear her remark. To admit it would only force him to acknowledge that he agrees with her. There is something very wrong with Gerty, and this horrible week has clearly changed it for the worse.