If he had done as promised and come to see her in the last week or so, he would have been told that she was not well and would be indisposed for at least that long. It was a beautiful morning when she finally emerged from the house, not to go far, but to go for a walk around the perimeter of her home. She was walking down the road, face yellowed with the healing bruises, the scab still on her lips. She was lost in thought while the wind lifted her loose hair. Because she was in sight of home, there were those who were watching from a distance to let her have that time to herself safely, and not far away was the guard who kept out of sight that would be there just in case.

She found a grassy knoll and spread her blanket, then sat down and leaned back upon her palms, looking up at the clouds.