She came because she was expected to. She came because she wanted to. She came here because she thought it was the right thing to do. She came even though she was afraid. It wasn't long after dawn but this August had been the hottest in years in North Carolina and Lydia was already sweating through her nurse's whites by the time she started toward the clearing on the riverbank, surrounded by willows and tupelo gum and broad-leafed bay trees.
Early morning sounds.
Loons, an animal foraging in the thick brush nearby, hot wind through sedge and swamp grass. Lord, I'm scared, she thought. More noises in the brush. She hesitated, looked around. Then continued on.