Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes

“Momma, why is the fence so high?” Taryn’s piping voice sounded, interrupting her mother’s thoughts.

“Because it has to be,” Laurel answered patiently as she continued pinning clothes on the line. It was the third time in a week Taryn asked the question.

“But why? You never tell me anything.”

Damn right I never tell you. “It keeps the bad things out.”

Taryn crossed her arms over her tiny chest, pouting. “I don’t believe you. I want to go out.”

Laurel’s heart hammered against her chest. Out? Fear gripped her. “We don’t go out. You know everyone stays behind the fence.”

“That’s a stupid rule.” The girl turned away and stomped to the fence.

The older woman watched her child for a moment. Taryn’s blonde curls, so like her own long ago, had escaped the braids so patiently done that morning.

“Will we ever go out?”

“No Taryn, it’s not…