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Elsa couldn’t re that to her Not even Rose It was surprising how much those feords could lift one’s spirit “Thank you, Jean”

The children ran off, laughing together It was reary treat could revive them Later, they’d have the sandwiches

When they were alone, Jean said quietly, “I’m in trouble, Elsa”

“What’s wrong?”

Jean put a hand on her flat stomach and looked sadly at Elsa

“A baby?” Elsa whispered, lowering herself to sit on a crate beside Jean

Born here?

Good Lord

“How’et milk in my breasts”

Once, Elsa would have said, God will provide, and she would have believed it, but her faith had hit the same hard times that had struck the country Now, the only help women had was each other “I’ll be here for you,” Elsa said, then added, “Maybe that’s how God provides He put me in your path and you in mine”

Jean reached over for Elsa’s hand and held it Elsa hadn’t known until right then how much difference a friend could h to keep you upright

TWENTY-TWO

Dearest Tony and Rose,

June in California is beautiful Hard red flowers have burst out in the cotton fields Iine the look of it across thousands of acres, with the mountains in the distance

The friends we have made promise plenty of work for all when the cotton is ready to pick