eyelids grew so heavy again, I couldn't keep them
open.
Sunlight burst into my room like a bird crashing
madly into the window. My eyes snapped open and I
sat up quickly. I had perspired so much during the
night, my nightgown was cold and wet. I pulled it off
my body quickly and went in to take a warm shower,
turning my face into the water and letting it pound on
my closed eyes and cheeks.
No one but Cary seemed to notice how quiet I
was at breakfast. Daddy was excited about a new
location he had discovered for lobster fishing and talk
of the day's work dominated the conversation. Every
once in a while, Cary glanced at me and I could see
from the way he studied me that he sensed something
was wrong. Every time his questioning gaze met mine I glanced away quickly. I was eager for everyone to finish eating so I could escape to the kitchen to help
Mommy clean up.
Cary poked his head through the kitchen
doorway just as Mommy and I were finishing. "I'm going over to the bog," he said, "if you and
May want to come along."
"Go ahead, dear," Mommy said. "We're almost
done."
"I know it's not as exciting as it used to be,"
Cary snapped. "Forget it."
"No!" I cried. He looked back, surprised. "I'd like to go, too. I'll get May."
We joined him outside and the three of us, just
as we used to, walked over the beach to our cranberry
bog. It was all in blossom and looked like a pale pink
ocean.
"Daddy says it will be a fair crop this year, but