Daddy's Gone a Hunting

17

Kate was trapped in a well. There was no water in it but somehow she knew that it was a well. Her whole body was weighted down and her head was detached from her neck. Sometimes she heard the rustle of voices, some of them familiar.

Mommy. Kate tried to pay attention. Mommy kissing her good-bye and promising that someday she could go out at night on the boat, too.

Daddy kissing her good-bye. “I love you, Baby Bunting.”

Did that happen? Or was it a dream?

Hannah’s voice, “Hang in there, Kate. I need you.”

The nightmare. The flowered nightgown and running down the hall. It was very important to remember what happened. She was almost there. For a moment she had remembered. She was sure of it.

But then everything was dark again.