Megan and I remained in the kitchen, avoiding eye contact as the children obliged their mother. Their tones were hushed, but it wasn’t a very big house and I could hear every word clear as day.

“Are you sure you have to leave us?” Evelyn asked.

“Yes, sweetheart, you’ll be fine.”

“But she broke the law. I don’t feel safe with her.”

“Then stay close to Megan, sweetie. That’s why she’s here.”

“Can Grace give me her sin?” little Stephen asked.

“No. Sin is a choice you make. Just follow the rules and you’ll be safe.”

A moment later I heard the front door close. All three children returned to complete their studies at the kitchen table.

Evelyn refused to look at me.

THE AFTERNOON SKY WAS BRIGHT BLUE WITH LARGE puffy white clouds, the breeze warm and welcoming—the perfect afternoon for a short walk. So I gathered up the Pierce children with Megan’s help, packed approved water and food, and set out to walk along the approved paths that led toward the farmland east of town.

Though at first annoyed and hurt to have Megan watching over me, I was now thankful she was near. She really was good with the children, laughing and singing with them, showing interest in their interests, being cautious and following the rules.

I loved the Pierce children as if they were my own. I’d cared for them when they were sick, put them to sleep, made them laugh. I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t deeply wounded by Evelyn’s total disdain for me, but I knew it was my own fault. More than the other children, she was sensitive to anything remotely close to breaking the law. When her siblings broke rules she suffered just as much as they did.

Nausea rolled through my stomach again, and for a passing moment I was sure I’d throw up my lunch. I tried to keep my focus ahead, breathing deeply, letting the fresh air fill my lungs.

The path we traveled behind the main stretch of town was marked clearly. Mowed grass grew along the left side of the path; to the right was a wild field that stretched out to the forest a hundred feet away. Forbidden ground.

Another wave of nausea washed over me, and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to hold it back. I placed my hand on Megan’s shoulder. “I’m not feeling very well. Let’s stop here for a moment. I’m going to run up to the bathroom inside the market, okay?”

“Sure.” Megan nodded and announced they would sit along the path for a little while and look for shapes in the clouds. That seemed to appease the kids.

I hurried toward the street and made it around the corner of the brick market building before the nausea overtook me.