Daisy helps unbutton the back of her dress, and when Anika walks over to the master bed to strip it off, she is unaware of the look on the ladies faces. Her old corset and undershirt drop, causing her bruises to stand out harshly against the paleness of her skin. She misses Daisy shaking her head at Savannah, who is quick to wipe a tear from her face.
Anika has lost all the baby weight, she looks almost frail standing in the mid-morning sun. She keeps her back to the women while she undresses. Her spine has a mottled look with yellow and green bruises. The largest of the injuries wraps around under her ribs and is still light purple though it, too, is beginning to fade.
“I’m going to get us some refreshments,” Savannah says hoarsely and rushes from the room. Anika pulls on a cotton top with a new corset, followed by the bustled petticoat before she turns around slowly and looks at the two older women.
In a soft voice, “I’d nearly forgotten, forgive me, ladies. The bruising is much better now. They're merely yellow and green, not purple and black. Dr. Parker said it is normal to heal slowly after childbirth and nursing two babies. I seem to be asking a lot of my body, but soon they will be forgotten altogether.”
“You must have been in so much pain, Anika, how did you ever manage to hold the boys against you?” Daisy asks softly.
“Pillows help. They are tiny yet. I plan on remedying that soon,” Anika teases.
Mrs. Flannagan looks at her with new eyes. “Ya have a mighty spirit for such a wee thing,” she walks over to her and begins tugging the strings. “This corset straps on the sides which allow for growth. If ya lose weight, not that ya need to, or gain weight, you can adjust it for comfort. Keep it loose until you heal.”
Savannah rushes into the kitchen and struggles to regain her composure. She pours juice into glasses and adds biscuits with trembling fingers onto a serving tray. When Glenn enters from the back door, she is quick to wipe at her cheeks. His eagle eyes miss nothing.
“What’s wrong,” Glenn demands.
“I wasn’t prepared, I mean, I know about her past, but I wasn’t ready,” Savannah stammers. “I don’t know how she can put pressure against her ribs, and she holds both boys!”
“What are you talking about?”
“The bruises, Glenn. They rain over her back and around her ribs. How could he do that to her?” Tears stream down her face as he curses and stalks out of the room. “What are you... Glenn don’t you dare!” Savannah races to the opposite staircase and runs up holding her skirt high and leaps in front of him.
“Damn, I forgot how fast you are,” He grins and tries to step around her.
“What is wrong with you?” Savannah hisses and shoves at his chest. “You can’t go in there!”
“It's my home, Savannah.” He once again tries to sidestep her only to find her still blocking him.
“Yes, but she isn’t your wife.”
Glenn pales, and Savannah whispers, “I'm sorry, Glenn, but Dr. Parker will be here soon. He will check her over and make sure she's healing properly. I just wasn't aware of how bad it was. Now, please go back downstairs.”
Glenn glowers at her and nods, before turning and stomping away. Savannah sighs in relief and follows slowly thinking about Glenn's reaction to her words. To say it was unexpected would be a severe understatement.
A smile lights up her face, ‘He has feelings for her!’
Martha glares at Savannah’s retreating back from the hallway. She returns to the small hole they stuffed her in. As she sews, she begins to plan. “Feelings! I’ve waited months for that woman to die and now some whore thinks she’s going to take him from me.” Martha hisses in frustration when the thread jams in the machine. “No, this won’t do.”
All the women at church talk about what a great catch Glenn Ward would make. His business is booming with the advancements of the refrigerated rail cars. He can ship fruit all over the country. It will afford her the lifestyle she has dreamed of for herself. If this Anika hadn’t rushed in to save the day, she would be consoling Glenn over losing his family, the way she had been planning. Now things will have to change.
“Is it finished yet?” Delaney asks entering the bedroom at a run causing her to jump in surprise.
“Do you run everywhere, child?” Martha snaps.
“Yes. Mama says I’m lucky I have long legs, it makes me fast.”
“Perhaps your Mama could teach you that a lady doesn’t run.”
“I run, and I’m a perfect little lady, Mrs. Daisy says so.” Delaney spins and claps her hands with excitement.
“Well isn’t that something.” She says sarcastically and returns to her sewing while Delaney plays in the room.
“Mama and I are going to help with the bake sale for the church. Do you cook, Miss Martha?”
“No, I have people who cook,” she says, suddenly interested in the child's yammering. “You could wear this new dress. Let's try it on while you tell me all about this bake sale.”
“Tea is served in the living room, Mrs. Flanagan. You and Martha should join us downstairs while Anika changes,” Daisy offers.
Anika waits for them to leave and tries on a black bustled skirt, white shirt and matching short, black, jacket which Mrs. Flannagan was able to fit to her body. Glancing in the mirror, she frowns at the reflection staring back at her.
Her pale skin stands out even more strikingly against such a dark color.
