Free IRISH FIRE by Jeanette Baker Page A

will we go see the colt, Mama?
    Caitlin kissed the top of his head. There was something miraculous about giving birth to a boya child of herself and yet nothing like her. As soon as you find your sweatshirt. Its cold outside. Bring Annies as well.
    I wont be cold in the car, said Annie.
    We wont be driving.
    Annie looked surprised. How will we get there?
    Caitlin bit her lip. It wasnt the first time Annie had inadvertently pointed out the disadvantages of her new home. Well walk.
    But why? Annie wailed. Gran has a car.
    I dont know how long well be gone, explained Caitlin patiently. I cant ask Gran to give up her car.
    Annie pouted. All traces of the serious, thoughtful child who, ten minutes before had wanted to please her grandmother, had completely disappeared. We wouldnt have to worry about any of this if we were at home.
    Oh, Annie. Im sorry that youre unhappy here. Please give it a chance.
    Why cant we just go home?
    Caitlin felt her right temple throb, an indication of a migraine coming on. Another few minutes of this and she wouldnt be walking anywhere. Weve been over this before, she said, trying to ignore the nagging ache. Daddy and I are divorcing. Youll go back to Kentucky to visit him but your home will be here with me. Im your mother.
    I wish you werent. Annies voice cracked. I wish anyone but you was my mother.
    Caitlin moved toward her, reaching out. Annie
    Dont come near me, the child sobbed, backing away. I hate you.
    Caitlin watched helplessly as her daughter turned, ran into her room, and slammed the door. Every instinct told her to march into Annies room and demand an apology. But then what? Annie had blurted out her feelings instead of allowing them to rage inside of her, something Caitlin had always encouraged. Should the rules change because her daughter had expressed emotions that Caitlin found intolerable? Could a ten-year-old girl actually hate her mother?
    The pain had crossed her forehead. Now both temples were on fire.
    Whats goin on here? Brigid stepped into the room and sniffed appreciatively. Its a lovely smell, whatever it is youve made.
    Pancakes, said Caitlin tonelessly, rubbing her head.
    Her mother frowned. You look pale as milk, lass. Are you ill?
    Its a migraine. Ill take a pill now and maybe it wont get worse.
    Brigids lips tightened. Since when have you had migraines?
    She really couldnt stand much more. Since Sam decided to diddle every woman between sixteen and sixty.
    Caitlin Keneally! Theres a child present. Her mothers eyes were narrow with disapproval. We may not be sinfully rich like the Claibornes, but surely you never learned such language in this house.
    Her vision was going. Tiny blasts of light flickered behind her eyelids. Perhaps not
in
the house.
    Mama?
    Ben looked frightened. Caitlin forced a smile and pulled him close, burying her nose in his hair. It smelled like strawberries, Brigids shampoo. Dont worry, Benjie, she murmured. Its just a headache. Gran will know what to do.
    Will we still see the colt?
    Dont worry about that, Brigid replied. After I attend to your mother, Ill take you.
    Somehow her mother did know what to do. Brigid crossed the room, scooped ice from the freezer, sealed it in a plastic bag and pressed it against the back of Caitlins neck. Blessed coolness met the pain, and a voice, incredible in its softness, whispered, Dont say anything, love. Ill take you back to bed. You can visit the foal another day.
    My pills, mumbled Caitlin. Theyre in my bag.
    Hush, her mother soothed her. Ill find them. Everything will be all right.
    Annie, shes
    Annie will be fine. Dont worry so much, Caitlin. Youre not alone here. Rest now.
    With that comforting thought swimming through her haze of pain, Caitlin gulped down her Imitrex capsule, turned her face to the wall, and prayed for sleep.

    It was three days before she could bring herself to swing her legs over the side of the bed and look into a mirror. What she saw made her groan. Her hair was wild and her skin and