“Mom, I want to stay with Grandpa,” blurted Terra, unable to hold it in any longer. She loved her mother with all her heart, but everything was happening too fast. “He’s been good to me. I like it there. Why can’t we all live together on the farm?”

“Don’t make this difficult,” said Mary. “You’re with me now, and we’re not going back there, not ever.”

Terra noticed her mother’s arms and legs were shaking and her skin looked sweaty. “But what about Grandpa? He’s going to wonder where I am.”

“Forget him. You don’t know your grandfather like I do,” said Mary.

“But why, Mom? Why are you mad? What did Grandpa do?”

“You’re better off not knowing.”

“Tell me!” said Terra. “Grandpa’s a good person. He’d never hurt anyone on purpose.”

A man’s voice came over a loudspeaker announcing it would soon be time for passengers to show their tickets and begin boarding the bus. He urged everyone to gather their belongings and form a line near the bus. A collective murmur emanated throughout the waiting area as people stood and got out their tickets.

Mary went to get up but stumbled and almost fell. Terra grabbed her mother firmly by the arm to steady her. “Are you okay?” she asked.

“I feel fine,” answered Mary, as she tried again to stand. She straightened herself, took three or four steps forward, then stopped. “Where are we?” she asked.

“We’re at the bus station,” answered Terra, confused. “Is something wrong?”

Without warning, Mary’s eyes closed, and her body collapsed, toppling backward onto the tile floor.