Alice

There is a long moment of silence between the two before Mr. Jones says to Cotton, “It’s getting on, best you go see what’s taking Jimmy.”

“I can do that.”

Cotton up and gone, Mr. Jones hands her what is left of the rabbit. “Might as well finish this off.” Without a word, he puts the canteen next to her before he stands and walks off. In between bites, the way he is staring along the way they came, it looks like he is waiting for someone to catch up. Drifting in is the one talked about that has both Mr. Jones and Cotton on edge. Whoever it is, she hopes to be saved that has her figuring this is what is getting to them. Not sure about Jimmy, she tosses the remains of the rabbit to the fire. Afterwards, she helps herself to several long swallows of cool water.

Placing the canteen close to where he was sitting, with that, she turns to look out to Mr. Jones. With one foot forward, he is rocking his weight back and forth. Mom would do that when she had a hard decision to live with. In a rush comes the pain associated with missing mom which has her picking up a small branch. Poking an end into the bed of hot coals, waits until the tip is glowing red. Up to the sky, a letter is started before the ink runs dry. She starts again, and having the same results, gives up by tossing the branch into the flames. Wishing for another way to let mom know she is alive and that she is doing her best in figuring out a way back home, Mr. Jones clears his throat and after spitting out the gob, he walks over to the fire. On his approach, and even though the fire feels good against the cool evening breeze, she feels a bitter cold in his stare. “Are you done with this,” he asks in holding up the canteen. The arrogance of his voice tempers hers to where she nods yes. All at once the tide has turned. Looked after, no more that gentle hand. Fear creeps in to where the hairs on her arms are standing tall as she remains motionless in watching the flames like it was her favorite clip of all time.