Chapter 2Martha Carpenter knew it was a bad day before she even got out of bed. She felt it in the tightness of her chest, along with the ache of her hipbones. These sensations, coupled with the tingly sensations in her left arm, meant she’d been on her stomach all night. Had she a mirror close by, she was sure she’d see the crisscross thatched pattern from her blankets pressed onto her skin like a new form of wrinkles. She’d slept deeply, a deep sleep that should have brought her good things, but only made her remember what day it was: The Pioneer Grants were being announced.
Out of instinct, Martha reached over in bed. The space was cold. Stacey had gone a long time ago. Before her, Danny had gone. There were more. She could list them all, remember how each one slept, and remember the m
