1930s: Anna finds a new mission

In San Myshuno, Anna does not trust her sister's assurances that everything is fine. In fact, she is absolutely certain that Josephine is lying. The question is what to do about it, and how to go about it. "It's the way she left," she tells Johnny. "It was so rushed. A promotion, or even a transfer, would take longer time, and then there is the fact that she never invited me over to their apartment. Not once." "Perhaps she just doesn't like visitors?" Johnny suggests with a shrug.
"That's just it. She does. And there is something about the wording. I just don't trust her!"
"Maybe you're right. Maybe you're not. But either way, she's an adult woman, if she doesn't want to tell you the truth, or accept your help, that's her choice."

That night they go out, taking a new neighbor who also comes from Willow Creek with them to a newly opened bowling alley. It's Anna's birthday, and while she's worried about her sister, she still manages to have a good time. While a bit shaky at first, it turns out she's quite good at this bowling thing.

The next morning offers a big surprise. As she takes Omisco for a walk a stray dog approaches them, begging for food. A stickler for animals, Anna cannot help but to cuddle with the big dog, who then resolutely goes on to follow her and Omisco around until Anna relents and takes him home with her, starting out with offering the big dog a bath. So without planning or even thinking it through, Anna suddenly finds herself with two dogs instead of one. One of which is a lot bigger than Omisco and fond of howling and barking on odd hours. A bit hard in a rather small apartment, but Anna figures she can make it work as long as she spends enough time with them at Myshuno Meadows with them. Buddy is not as quick to learn as Omisco, but stubbornness make up for a lot and in just a single afternoon Anna still manages to teach him the all important heel-command.

Johnny, also an animal lover, likes the new addition to Anna's family and has a perfect solution for Anna's cramped condition. Namely, that she just move in with him in his bigger apartment.

Anna isn't as sure about this suggestion. It's not that she doesn't have feelings for Johnny, but moving in? She knows the implication that holds, because you just do not move in with a man, not without a marriage waiting down the line. Even if that kind of de facto marriages are much more common in the city than in the rest of the country, it's hardly proper behaviour, and nothing she could ever do to her parents. No, moving in means marriage, and that she has long since given up on. Even if she knows it will hurt him, Anna turns Johnny's offer down. She convinces herself that this is not the right time. And besides, Josephine needs her. Her sister must come first.

Johnny is not impressed. "You're leaving? Again? I waited for two years while you were off in Japan."
"I never asked you to!"
"Well, don't expect it off me this time!"

"You want to do what?" Alice asks as she tells her over the phone.
"Go there! Surprise her, confront her!"
"But why on earth would you want to do that?"
"Because she needs our help, but is too proud to accept it."
"Who says she'll accept the help just because you go there?"
"But at least then I've tried, besides, the trip would do me good."
"And what does Johnny has to say?"
"Why would he say anything at all." 
Anna can hear Alice's sigh across the phone."What happened?" With Alice there is no hiding for Anna, she can read her like a book, even over a long distance phoneline, and so Anna tells her sister everything.
"So what you're saying is that you're running scared? My sister, who can climb mountains and conquer jungles, is scared of a boy she likes?"
"It's not about Johnny, this is about Josephine!"
"No it's not, and you know it. If you want to help our sister, then go, but do it for the right reasons, not because you're afraid. You told me once to not be governed by fear, I think it's time you hear the same."
"It's too late now anyway. Johnny is gone."

And Anna is nothing but stubborn, which is why she and her dogs are on the train to Chestnut Ridge already the next day. Two trains, a bus and less than a week later, she arrives at the rental she's arranged for from home, and she immediately sees what Josephine wrote, about the wide open spaces and sense of freedom. The dogs love it! They run around, playing in the bushes and fighting squirrels - or rather Buddy does. Omisco is too old to behave like a puppy. Instead he just lays down outside and enjoys the space.

But Anna is not there for the nature, but for Josephine, and as soon as she has settled in she goes off to find the address her sister has sent. It takes her a while to find the right door, but when she does she is greeted by three happy children.

Josephine is not nearly as happy to see her sister, but instead deeply embarrassed. And Anna is shocked. She knew her sister was lying, but this is worse than she thought. After she's been introduced to Barbera, talked to the family and the kids has gone to sleep she pulls her sister aside. "You can't live like this. Let me help!" she says, but Josephine is every bit as stubborn as her sister. "I know you mean well, but I will not take any charity, not from you, not from anyone. We get by. Things will get better!" 

Back in her cottage, Anna writes to Alice.

Dear Alice,

The situation is worse than I could have even imagined. No bathroom, no electricity, they're all in one dingy little room in a shed that is so poorly built that I fear it will fall to pieces in the autumn storms. I don't know what to do to help, but I must find a way that is acceptable to Josephine. Arthur has a birthday tomorrow. I will help them celebrate it, and stay on a while and get to know this town. Somehow I will find a way to help.

Your loving sister, Anna