Liz’s clothes dropped to the ground. I felt her step into the water. It rose to my shoulders as she sunk in behind me. She took my body in her arms and pulled me toward her, and it was only then that I stopped shaking.

“It doesn’t matter what you did,” she told me, my back against her breasts, her arms around my chest, her cheek against my cheek. “You’re here now and it’s over.”

“Lee, I’m so sorry.”

“Sh-shhh,” she said.

___

Across the field, the house’s lights were on. Eventually, I heard the crunch of wheels on the gravel drive and knew it was Dr. Cole’s wagon. I understood, then, that Lee would be all right. No long trip down Highway One to the hospital. Everything he needed could be done here. Lee got twenty-three stitches, a dose of pain medication, and a mug of steamed milk. Julia, worried about secondary drowning, would carry her rocking chair from the little ones’ room and spend the night next to him, watching his chest rise and fall.

By the time Dr. Cole crossed the field to find me, Liz had me dry and in pajamas, lying in my bed with the fire crackling.

“How are you feeling?” he asked. I didn’t know how to answer, so said nothing. He crossed the cabin and placed a hand on my shoulder. His voice soft, he said, “This will be quick.” I closed my eyes at the cold press of metal on my chest. He listened to my lungs and my heart.

“Good girl,” he said when it was over.

____________

I slept in late on Sunday, woke to light through the curtains. Liz and Billy were already at the market, probably on their second cups of coffee, were probably counting change and chatting with customers. I buried my head in the pillow and fell back to sleep.

A couple hours later, Julia brought me eggs and tea and tangerines on a tray. She kissed me on the head and didn’t make me talk to her.

In the late afternoon, Terry came with bread and soup.

“How is Lee?” I asked him.

“He’s doing all right.” Terry sat at the edge of my bed. He took my hand. “Thanks to you,” he said, but I didn’t deserve it. He must have sat with me and held my hand until I fell asleep again, because I don’t remember him leaving.

____________