Omar took both of my hands in his, his skin rough and dry. “Lily, listen to me, this is what we have to do. There’s a plant that grows on the land where the Tatinga live. A day downriver, then a day’s walk. It only grows there. We’ll make a poultice from the leaves, put it on your skin. It’ll take care of this, fast.”

“What’s wrong with San Solidad? That clinic—”

“There’s no time.”

“That’s crazy,” I said, as the words there’s no time slammed me deep in my gut. “Listen, Ohms, I’m not going, okay?” I closed my eyes against the memory of the vision. “Why don’t you go and bring it back for me?”

“You heard Beya. Splitfoot won’t just give it to me. The Tatinga aren’t like that. They need to understand who they’re helping, and why. Besides, that would mean four days before I got back to you, maybe longer.”

“Can’t FrannyB get it from them?”

He shook his head in exasperation. “The tribes only tolerate the missionaries. They like the gifts, otherwise they think they’re complete fools. We leave in the morning.”

I pushed myself to my feet, in defiance of my weakness, fever, the stabbing pain of the lesions. “I’m staying here.”

Rage contorted his face. “This isn’t a game, Lily. You think you’ll get better by doing nothing? You don’t care about our baby?”

I eased myself onto a stool. “Why would the Tatinga give us the plant? Give me the plant?”

For the first time, I saw fear creep into his face, a tightening around his eyes, helplessness in the cast of his shoulders.

“So what are you not telling me now? What are you leaving out, Omar?”

“I’m telling you what you need to know.”

“They might kill us, right? They might kill me . . .”

“We’re going to get you this plant, cariño. You’ll be cured, and I won’t have to hunt for weeks, we’ve got so much meat. We’ll leave this place soon. We can have our baby in the city if you like. We can stay there for a while before we decide what to do next. The men are better hunters now, and it looks like the jaguar’s moved on. Even if it hasn’t, we’ve done everything we can for this place. For God’s Sake has abandoned us, but Panchito will be back soon, I know it. He’s a good man. Even with his leg, he’d be an excellent river driver, if he can ease up on the booze. And Beya’s frightened off Fat Carlos and his gang. I think Ayachero’s going to be okay.”

He looked close to tears. I reached out and touched the contour of his cheek. “You can’t save everybody, Omar, you know.”

“Maybe not. But I can save you and our child.”

I nodded, but had no energy to speak after that. With great effort, my body slow, heavy, and awkward, I lay back down, closed my eyes, and watched the image of my dead self fade into tatters.