The Traveler

Up on her feet and recognizing what carried, Lilly says, “That’s dead people’s stuff. Why did you bring it here?”

Anger turns over in bearing its heat that has him putting the emotion away and being in control, says to Lilly, “What makes you think everyone is dead?” Shock dissolves into disbelief. “If they’re not dead, then where did they all go?”

The plea of wanting to know only reinforces the picture drawn of herself carrying a heavy burden that gets him remembering the same sad look in the cook’s eye back at the roadside café which twists itself into a promise made.

One step at a time is never easy.