It’s early, I’d have thought you’d still be at the cottage, helping your mother.”
Winded from her sprint, she breathlessly said, “Father, something’s wrong with Mother...her skin is hot to the touch, she just had a violent coughing fit, and she was too weak to stand or even speak after…”
Father’s face darkened as if a storm cloud had passed over the sun. His lips tightened with worry, and Heida knew he was thinking about what she had earlier. Was it possible? Could Mother have the dreadful summer fever? “Take your brothers to the market and meet with Elmer there. I’ll send Lillith and Illa after you when I get to the cottage. Once they meet you, close the stall and go to your grandmother’s cottage; I’ll send news to you as I have it.”
Heida knew then that he must think the worst; Grandmother was father’s mother, and was an old, cranky, near blind woman they rarely visited on account of her temper and apparent hatred of mother. Father wouldn’t tell them to stay with her unless he thought the situation grim.
Heida stared at him. “Father...Mother’s going to be alright, isn’t she?” Her voice cracked a bit.
Father put his hand on her shoulder and said, simply, “Be brave,