Chapter 6: Her Own Two Dollars

Calvin reached for the bills.

Elena folded them into her palm before he could take them. In the past, any money her siblings slipped her had found its way into Vanessa's pocket or Agnes's locked box. If Calvin carried these two dollars to the clinic, Elena knew how the story would end: the cheapest medicine, no receipt, and nothing returned.

"I can go alone," she said. "There is no reason for you to leave the fields."

Calvin studied her as if a familiar tool had begun speaking. Yesterday, Elena had bowed when he frowned. Today, she had exposed the money before half the village and made Agnes confess with her own mouth.

"You're feverish," he said. "You may spend it foolishly."

"It came from Daniel and my sisters." Elena raised her voice for the neighbors still lingering near the gate. "They sent it for me, didn't they?"

Agnes's jaw tightened. Denying it now would revive the theft question.

"Of course," she muttered.

"Then they would want me to use it for medicine."

Elena tucked the money safely inside her shirt. Agnes looked ready to claw it back, but too many people were watching.

"Go, then," the old woman said. "And account for every cent."

Elena walked toward the clinic without another word.

Behind her, the neighbors finally dispersed. The moment the gate cleared, Calvin dragged Agnes into the yard.

"Do you want the whole village calling us thieves?" he hissed. "Control yourself."

Agnes dropped onto the step, humiliated and furious. Caleb brought her a basin, then complained that the water jar was nearly empty.

Vera came through the gate at that moment. "Where is Elena? Why hasn't she fetched water?"

"At the clinic," Caleb said.

"The clinic? With whose money?" Vera rounded on Agnes. "We still need a marriage fund for the children. You cannot waste cash every time that girl wants attention."

Agnes, still smarting from her public defeat, snapped back. "It was her brother's money. If you want more, ask your own family."

Vera stared. Agnes had never defended Elena's claim to anything.

Calvin silenced them both with a look. "Cook lunch. And no one discusses the money outside this yard."

Vera hurried into the kitchen.

Her scream came seconds later.

The pot was empty. The flour jar was lighter. Two eggs were gone.

For the first time in years, the Ward household had come home hungry while Elena went to care for herself.