About the book
It was one of those historical markers they had all over the place out here, cast iron on a post, painted black, the letters raised and silver, except nobody had painted this one in a long time. The two pieces of iron in the fire glowed red, then orange, then yellow, and the surface began to sparkle, little white stars leaping off the iron. The women sat on the porch, on the steps, on the ground, black in the face, red-eyed, drinking coffee Käthe had made in the kitchen with water from the cistern. A small book bound in brown leather, worn, with a strap around it.