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Show 6-7 "She uses lots of raisins," I said. Then I looked at his mouth, at the skin pulled together where his lips had been. "Can you eat them?" "Break- it up into little pieces." He held out one hand and I dropped a small piece of cookie onto the bandage. He brought his hand to his mouth and tipped his head back. I looked down at my lap. "They are good. Just like my granny's." I blinked quickly. He couldn't even eat my grandmother's cookies. "Hey, kid, you're swell. This is the best thing. I'll take the rest and share them with the other fellows on my ward. They don't get many cookies." He reached out to my hands, clutched around the strap of my bag. He covered my hands with one of his. The bandages felt cool and scratchy. "Listen, don't worry. You came back to see me. I was afraid you wouldn't. Most people don't." I blinked faster and turned my head to wipe the tears from my face on my shoulder. "I really loved the book. And the cookies. But most of all, just having you here. I don't have a sister. So I don't know what kids your age are much like." Through the bandages I could feel a pressure where his fingers curled around mine. "I don't want you to worry. I scared you, didn't I? It all comes back at funny times and I can't help it. But don't worry. I really liked the Amazon River before." I looked at him, from under my sailor hat and up into his face, shadowed and dark. He was smiling. |
