Claire moved through Sunday in a fog of melancholy. Twice her mother had to poke her in the ribs when she nodded off during church service.
Alan Dougherty arrived with his parents for dinner. Claire tried to be cordial, but Alan was no fool and after failing to raise any interest from her, the family left shortly after the meal was finished.
"He"s such a nice boy and you were rude to him. Do you want to be an old maid? All the girls your age are settling down, not carousing around doing men"s work."
"Mother," Claire warned.
"I"m just speaking the truth. Raising children and caring for a husband is a woman"s highest calling. The Bible says so."
"Just because your calling is to care for us, doesn’t mean it"s mine."
"Don"t get sassy, child."
Weary to her bones and aware this was an arg
