The cabin was like an empty shell and Anna just seemed to rattle around inside. She had sent Maggie home, no use for both of them to sit there helplessly, and now all she could do was wait. She didn't think at all that David would return. She worried that he would act out in a blind rage. But right now, Anna could do nothing to stop him. She was emotionally drained. She worried what this pain was doing to him. She couldn't even imagine it.
The wind outside started to pick up and Anna heard it begin to rattle the shutters. It was going to rain. She could almost smell it. There was a chill about the air the crept it's way into her bones and lingered there.
As Anna paced the room, she folded her arms tightly around her waist as if she were protecting herself from something. Technically, she was. She was shielding herself from pain, from sorrow and anguish, The emotions that she didn't want to have to bear to feel. Not alone at least.
She made her way over to the window and gazed out. The sky was dark and ominous. thick clouds threatened to break open at any moment. And why not, she thought. The day had been anything but a ray of sunshine. Why would it be any different now?
Anna turned once again, this time returning back to a wooden rocking chair, grasping a blanket which was draped over the arm. She wrapped it tightly around herself. the soft cotton enveloping her body. She rested her head back, easing her eyes shut as a barrier from the pain she was feeling. Complete and utter helplessness; a feeling that Anna had never expected to feel.
As she gently rocked back and forth, she began to lose herself in the soft whistling of the wind, which lulled her into a sort of semi-slumber, only to be jolted awake by the rattling of a key in the cabin door. Anna sat erect, resting her hands on the chair's arms as the door swung inward. She just sat there, her eyes fixed on the door as David entered.
David remained motionless looking at Anna. She returned his gaze, both of them desperately wanting to speak, but neither knowing what to say. David lifted his hand, running it back through his hair, before resting it on the back of his neck. He took a few small steps closer to the rocking chair, his eyes still fixed on Anna as he came to a stop.
"Anna," David finally said, rubbing just above his eyes with his thumb and index finger.
"Where were you, David?" Anna said softly.
David remained silent for a moment. "Clearing my head."
"At the hospital no doubt."
David nodded slowly. "I did go to the hospital. Yes."
"Don't tell me, David, alright. I don't want to know what you've done..."
"Anna," David crouched down in front of her, taking her hands. "Anna." he shook his head. "I didn't do anything." Tears began to stream down Anna's cheeks. "I swear to you, baby. I didn't do anything."
Anna sniffled, removing one of her hands from David's to wipe her eyes. "Don't lie to me, David."
"I'm not, Anna. I went to the hospital. I did. And I was going to see Joe Martin... but I didn't."
"Well what changed your mind?"
"Let's just say I was cornered into realizing that... no matter how sweet revenge would have been..." David fought back his tears, his eyes becoming red. "Our little girl is still gone. And nothing is going to bring Leora back to us."
Sorrow continued to fill Anna's eyes as she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around David's neck. She could feel his tears begin to fall, soaking through the fabric of her sweater. Anna lifted her hand, resting it on the back of David's head, allowing his hair to settle between her fingers.
"She was so small," David said. "And perfect... and she didn't hurt a soul. The best part of me... I should have been able to save her."
Anna pulled back. "David..." she said, shaking her head.
"It wasn't Joe... or Tad. It wasn't their fault. It was mine."
"Stop," Anna begged. "David. You did everything you could for her."
"It wasn't enough!" David yelled, jumping to his feet. He brought his hands up to his face. She was my little girl... and I couldn't do anything for her."
"She was sick," Anna said, standing. "We knew that her heart was weak. And God, David, I would have given anything in this world to keep her here. But we did everything we could for her. We loved her... so much and I think... Leora knew that. I know that she knew that." Anna slowly approached David. She reached up, gently cradling his cheek. "You couldn't possibly have been any better a father. You were the perfect father."
Anna's eyes began to water and the tears streamed down her cheeks. David pulled her into a tight embrace. Anna rested her head against his chest and her hands moved slowly up and down his back.
"Why am I so afraid that if I let go, you're going to disappear?" she said.
"I'm not going anywhere, baby," David said. "I need you, Anna. There's no way that I can get through this without you."
Anna wiped her eyes. "I am the furthest thing from a rock right now." she said.
"Well that makes two of us," he replied. "I'm not going to let you go through this alone." David paused. "I can't go through this alone." Anna's tears were flowing even more freely now. "I know... I've had my moments when you just wanted nothing to do with me. And we drifted apart. And Leora... she brought us back together, Anna. Lately, I've been at my wits end over this whole thing and I've said... and done some things that I probably shouldn't have. I'd take them all back if I could. Because I've lost so much this past year, Anna. I can't lose you now too."
"You're not going to lose me," Anna said. "We'll get through this together, David." She paused. "It's not going to be easy. And it's going to take a long while, but... I think if we start out taking tiny steps... we'll make it. We will." Anna put her arms around David, her head against his chest. David rested his chin on top of her head.
Outside, the sky was still threatening, but through the dark clouds came a single ray of sunshine which made it's way in the cabin window. A ray of hope, more of which were soon to follow.