End of Autumn

The fall was Helena's favorite. The bounty of nature could help bridge the gap between her means and needs. Come winter her garden would be dead and honest work would be rare.

With the garden and cows tended to she gathered a large basket and several burlap sacks. "Come Pig." Helena whistled for the large black mutt that was her helper before heading into the woods.

This time of year there was lots to find. Nuts, mushrooms, berries and even wild fruit trees. Things she could sell or preserve. Most sought was truffles. Pig was good at smelling them though they had to go further away from town to find any this season.

Helena wasn't too worried. She'd get by, she always did. The sun was getting low when Pig suddenly barked and started digging. She moved to help and soon enough they had uncovered the largest truffle she had ever seen. It was bigger than her head and would surely fetch a great price. Making a note of the location she knew she'd have to come back tomorrow. Now she hurried to the general store before it closed. Mr. Mills was surprised by her find and offered her a good price for it though most of that had to be in store credits.

Helena headed home in a very good mood with a ham bone for Pig among her purchases, he deserved it.

The next morning Helena woke with a heavy feeling in her body. She had too much to do to be sick. Trying to get out of bed her legs gave out on her and she fell to the ground. "Pig!" she called her mouth too dry to whistle. Nothing. Then she noticed blood dripping from her nose. It had just been a truffle they found....right?