whitley2026

@@@@@The spring air smelled so fresh an sweet through the open windows that she longed to be out in italmost to the parlor floorI wish I could go fasterAs Scarlett gingerly lowered her right foot to the first step on the final flight of stairs to the kitchen, the smell of frying fish rose up to meet herDamn, she thought, it's no-meat time again What I'd really like is some nice thick baconSuddenly, without warning, her stomach contracted and her throat filledScarlett turned in panic and lurched to the windowShe held on to the open curtains with frantic grasping hands while she leaned out of the window and vomited into the thick green leaves of the young magnolia tree in the yard She was sick again and again until she was weak, and her face was wet with tears and clammy sweatThen she slid helplessly down into a huddled miserable heap on the hall floorShe wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, but the feeble gesture did nothing to erase the sour, bitter taste insideIf only I could have a drink of water, she thoughtHer stomach contracted in response, and she gagged Scarlett put her hands over her middle and weptI must have 433 eaten something gone to poison in the heat yesterday I'm going to die right here, like a dogShe took short panting breathsIf only she could loosen her stays; they were cramping her aching stomach, cutting off the air she neededThe rigid whalebones felt like a cruel iron cageShe had never in all her life felt so sickShe could hear the family's voices from below, Maureen asking where she was, Kathleen saying she'd be down any minuteThen a door banged, and she heard ColumHe was asking for her, tooScarlett clenched her te