The Four Winds

She saw Jeb Dewey rushing toward her. He looked frantic.

“Jeb. What’s wrong?”

“It’s Jean. She’s sick. Can you help?”

“I’ll drive,” Elsa said, already running toward the truck.

Elsa drove out to the old squatters’ camp and parked near the Deweys’ truck. She and Jeb and Loreda got out. A wood and metal roof had been built over the bed. Another roof extended out to the side, created a covered cooking area where the children now sat. Jean lay on a mattress in the back of the truck.

“Tell us what to do,” Jeb said.

Elsa climbed up into the truck bed and knelt beside Jean. “Hey, you.”

“Elsa,” Jean said, her voice almost too soft to be heard. Her eyes had a glassy, unfocused look. “I told Jeb you’d be at relief today.”

Elsa placed a hand on Jean’s forehead. “You’re burning up.” She yelled to Jeb: “Get me some water.”

Moments later, Loreda handed Elsa a cup of warm water. “Here, Mom.”

Elsa took the cup. Cradling Jean’s neck, she helped her sip water. “Come on, Jean, take a drink.”

Jean tried to push her away.

“Come on, Jean.” Elsa forced the water down Jean’s throat.

Jean looked up at her. “It’s bad this time.”

Elsa looked down at Jeb. “You got any aspirin?”

“Nope.”

“Loreda,” Elsa said. “Take the truck to the company store. Buy us some aspirin. And a thermometer. The keys are in the ignition.”

Loreda ran off.

Elsa settled herself in closer to Jean, held her in her arms, and stroked her hot brow.

“It’s the typhoid, I reckon,” Jean said. “You should probably stay away.”

“I’m not that easy to get rid of. Just ask my husband. He had to run

off in the middle of the night.”

Jean smiled weakly. “He was a fool.”

“Jack said the same thing. So did Rafe’s mom, come to think of it.”

“I sure could use me some of that gin we been talkin’ about.”

Elsa ran her fingers through Jean’s damp hair. Heat radiated from Jean’s body to Elsa’s. “I could sing…”

“Please don’t.”

The women smiled at each other, but Elsa saw Jean’s fear. “It’ll be okay. You’re strong.”

Jean closed her eyes and fell asleep in Elsa’s arms.

Elsa held Jean, stroked her hot brow, and whispered quiet words of encouragement until she heard the rumbling sound of the truck returning.