The conversation around the dinner table was on the same boring topics as always, crops, new livestock, and family members who had long passed. During a brief silence Lydia decided to ask a question. She immediately regretted speaking as most everyone at the table turned to stare at her, and Ma’s look could have frozen the water in the creek. Clearly, she had said something that was taboo, but she had no idea what that might be. The conversation had been about dead relatives, so what was wrong with asking about her great-grandmother? Lydia wished she knew, but clearly it would have to wait until she could talk to Uncle Jesse. Uncle Will picked that moment to reach for another of Ma’s rolls, but the basket was empty. “Lydia!” Mom said sharply, her eyes pointing to the basket. Lydia represse
