Irene handed the glass to Sam and watched him drink.<br/><br/>"We're not having a baby," she said.  Before he could say anything, before he tried to discuss something she didn't really want to talk about, she added, "And, it isn't morning.  The moon's set and the night's dark as pitch.  I heard someone out on the road.  I don't sleep all that well, so little things wake me.  Sometimes, I wake up to absolute silence--no insects, no creaking of wood floors, no animals rustling about and I feel stark terror.  I imagine that's how the ancient people might have felt when they realized they weren't top of the food chain and a big ole tiger was coming.  Tonight, it was just some horses on the street.  And, the heat."  She retrieved the glass from Sam and refilled it, drinking some more.<br/><br/>Irene moved to the window and looked out.  "I hate this place.  I hate the dust and the heat.  Let's pack up and leave.  No more trying to figure out something I don't even care about anymore...just go."<br/><br/>Irene stared out at the blackness, wondering what her life would have been like if she'd just stayed on the East coast, working as a maid or a governess...  Why had she thought life would be better if she got married?  That it would be better in the new territory...only, he'd stopped here and decided to go no further.  He just never told her that in the letters.  She hated Tim.  Alive or dead, she hated him.  Liar.  Tried to make her feel guilty for coming, even though he'd paid for the ticket and said he wanted her for his wife.  He always pointed out that she would still be back east if he hadn't paid for her ticket.<br/><br/>Another cramp seized her and she made her way to the bathroom to use the chamber pot, not looking in, just squatting and gritting her teeth.  If it had been a baby, it might explain the cramp.  But, the pain passed and she cleaned herself up and pulled on her dressing gown and boots.  She covered the pot and picked it up to take it out.<br/><br/>"I'll be right back, Sam."  Irene spoke tiredly as she unlatched the door and left the room.