You don't want to be late." I opened my eyes and there was Ma, standing over my bed. "Be quiet so you don't wake your brother." Randall lay facing the wall, the covers pulled over his head. "I got you a clean shirt in the kitchen. Come on, now." When my feet were on the floor, I realized my back ached. Go to work again? No, thanks. But I had to. My plans to go out and see Nathan hadn't happened, either. I was just too beat. Ma had clean socks for me as well as a shirt and a bandanna for my head. She put a paper bag and some money in my hand. "A little breakfast. You can eat while you walk. If you get a minute later on, buy yourself some rubber gloves." "Gee, thanks, Ma." "Mothers do what they can." Pop was nowhere around. Still in bed, most likely. I munched a cold biscuit with bacon on my way. Uncle Hiram would have the coffee ready, strong and hot. Good thing. I needed it. When I came to the woods, I stopped, just like I had the day before. And listened. This morning even the birds were silent.
