Merlina walked into Peasy carrying a wanderer’s burden – whether more effort and hope will improve current circumstances; if not, the negative situation must either be tolerated or abandoned. Unwilling to meet old friends on the street, she left her house after Peasy’s students would be in their first class. The miracle did not happen. The school board did not change its mind about her or Nonnie and Walt’s children. Strolling slowly down the hard-packed roads to avoid kicking dirt and dry debris onto her socks and nice shoes, she arrives in town before midday heat. Starting at the nearest store, Merlina intends to enquire about jobs along the entire Main Street. Merle and Ida prepared a sack lunch for her but, thinking that she shouldn’t carry it with the black patent purse, she sets the b
