The Fulfillment Read Free Page A

company down in the barn with his sister Gracie—for a while, anyway. Cora was sixteen, so it seemed she’d be allowed to remain in the house.
    As it turned out, the baby was nowhere near to being born yet. The day lengthened and Aaronstayed, entertaining the young ones, getting news now and then from the house. Clem Volence wandered in and out of the house, and Aaron wondered what a man said to his wife at a time like this. Pris fixed sandwiches when the sun was well past midday and brought them to the barn for Aaron and the kids. She said Aaron needn’t stay, but he did. The afternoon dragged on. Finally, near suppertime, she sent Aaron to town to fetch Doc Haymes. Riding past his own place, he saw Mary coming from the hen house clutching an apron full of eggs. He waved and she waved back, stopping to watch him disappear toward town.
    On his return trip it was dark outside, but the lights were on at home. The house looked good and he wished he could pull in and stay, but he thought it best to hang around the Volences’ until he was sure he wasn’t needed any longer.
    Doc Haymes wasn’t far behind him. Priscilla was relieved when she saw both rigs pull in.
    â€œNothing yet,” was all she said before she and the doc went inside, leaving Aaron in the damp chill, uncomfortable and restless.
    The barn was warmer, drier, and Aaron found the kids bedded down there, so he joined them, alternately dozing and waking, finding his thoughts hazily reconstructing the memory of Pris and himself, that one time in the hay in the chill of a February night.
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    Later she came without a lantern, and Aaron awoke at the sound of her entering below. He came down the ladder from the mow. Turning, he nearly bumped into her in the darkness.
    â€œMama had a boy,” she whispered.
    â€œHow are they faring?”
    â€œThey’re both fine.”
    â€œIs the doc still here?”
    â€œNo. He offered to give you a lift home, but I fibbed and told him you’d most likely be sleeping the night in the barn. I wanted to talk before you got away. Let’s go outside in the air.”
    He took her hand and led her out into the crisp, glittering night. As he carefully closed the barn door, holding the latch from making its customary click, Pris sighed, a confession of how long the day had been.
    Aaron turned and drew her into his arms, pushing her head down until it nestled beneath his chin.
    â€œTired?” he asked.
    She moved her head, and it bumped his chin. “But happy.”
    â€œYes, I reckon everyone is, now that it’s over. Won’t Newt be happy he’s got a brother?”
    She pulled away from him momentarily. “Oh, I should have checked on the kids. Are they all right up there?”
    â€œYes, yes, don’t worry over them. They’re tuckered, too, and sound asleep.”
    â€œYou know, you didn’t have to stay in the barn. Ma just meant for Newt and Gracie to stay out from underfoot.”
    â€œI was more comfortable out here, too,” he admitted. “How did Cora take it?”
    â€œOh, you know Cora…never misses anything. Sixteen and snoopy.” Pris laughed, remembering Cora’s grown-up attempts to behelpful and her undisguised chagrin at the sounds going on in the house.
    â€œAnd you, Pris, what do you think of it all?” Aaron asked, brushing a hand across her cheek, the memories from the hayloft still fresh in his mind.
    â€œI guess it’s more beautiful every time it happens. I remember when Newt was born, and it was something to treasure. But now that I’m older—of age, you might say—well, it’s just about the most beautiful thing there could be. You should have seen Mama and Papa together afterward. I guess there’s no time two human beings feel closer than after a birthing.” She paused, as if expecting a reply, but when he made none she went on, “Thank you for staying, Aaron. I appreciate