Amber
Ican’t even believe that I was able to fall asleep sitting up against a tree on the cold ground while the snow fell around us. I think it’s because no matter what the situation is, I always feel safe and at home in Granite’s arms. I’m not sure how long I was asleep for, but it feels like only a matter of minutes before I am awake again. Granite gently coaxes me up to my feet and then stands beside me to steady me. I don’t necessarily feel dizzy or ill, but I definitely feel groggy and exhausted.
We don’t feel the need to run anymore, but still feel as though we should walk quickly as we make our way to the other side of the mountains. I think that Granite is right; I don’t think that Lana will have followed us this far, especially not since her son was heading in the opposite direction. But we still need to make haste in order to reach the other town before nightfall. We could probably last one more night in the woods with nothing but the elements and each other, but it was also probably best if we didn’t have to.
I’m still really worried about going into a town –anytown. I don’t feel comfortable being anywhere where there are people around. I don’t think anyone could blame me for feeling that way after everything that Granite and I had been through. Most people cross paths with maybe one crazy person in their lives, if that. We have had the unfortunate opportunity to have already crossed paths with several. To be honest, I really just don’t want to see another living soul for as long as I live, except for Granite of course.
I know that Granite seems to think a box of hair dye and some colored contact lenses are going to solve our worries, but I’m afraid that just isn’t going to be enough. It’s not like we’ve gone states or countries away; we’re are simply on the other side of the mountains from where our past threatens to catch up to us. It’s definitely not far away enough, in my opinion. That being said, we do need to get somewhere with warmth, food, and shelter.
When we finally make it to the town; we both are freezing, exhausted, and hungry. We also don’t have any money at all. The whole incident seems very familiar to the one in which I first met Granite, with no resources and no one to help me until he came to my aid. I wonder what the chances are of having a good person come to my aid a second time, in order to help us in our dire situation. Turns out, they’re surprisingly pretty good.
As we walk across one of the narrow streets and toward what looks like a small pub, hoping that the owner might let us inside for just a few minutes to warm ourselves and maybe spare a couple of fresh glasses of water, I hear the voice of an old woman calling from behind us.
“Are you two alright?” she asks.
Granite and I turn around to see who is talking to us. Unfortunately we have both learned to treat every single interaction now with a healthy dose of apprehension and skepticism.
“Do you two need help?” she asks when we don’t answer her first question.
The elderly woman walks up to us and reaches out to touch my cheek, which I find odd at first and recoil from.
“Oh my,” she says when she manages to get a quick touch of my skin. “You’re freezing to death.”
She reaches over and touches Granite’s cheek next.
“You’re both freezing to death. Come on then,” she says as she starts to slowly shuffle away. “Follow me and I’ll see what I can do to help you wanderers.”
Granite and I glance at each other, not sure whether to follow this woman or not. But she is so old that she doesn’t seem like she could possibly be much of a threat, and just like I had gotten a feeling about Lana, I got a feeling about this woman too. Except this feeling is a good one and I feel like we can trust that she is simply just trying to be a good person and offer a couple of freezing strangers some help. So, we follow her as she walks gingerly over the icy street and toward her house.
When we walk inside of the woman’s house, it is illuminated by the warm glow of a crackling fire and several lit candles.
“You left your home alone with a fire going in the hearth?” I ask, surprised that anyone would do that.
“I was only taking a few steps down the street to feed the birds,” she answers. “It’s hard for them to find food during the winter months you know. I like to share what I have when I can. It was always my husband’s way too; generosity is what makes us human. That’s what he used to say anyway.”
“Where is your husband now?” Granite asks.
I tap him on the shoulder, reminding him not to be too rudely invasive right off the bat. I’m sure not everyone has some sort of secret plot against us. At least I hope they didn’t.
“He died some years ago,” she says sadly. “Are you hungry? I’ve just put on some venison stew and I’m happy to share if you’d like some.”
We are both starving and quickly nod our heads. The small wafting from her kitchen is irresistible.
As the three of us sit and eat together, I notice that she hasn’t pried and asked us any questions yet.
“Do you live here all by yourself?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says as she slurps a sip of stew from her spoon. “I suppose that’s why the place looks as run-down as it does. I’m just not able to take care of all the things that my husband used to take care of when he was still alive. I do the best that I can.”
She takes another sip and then her eyes brighten with an idea.
“I wonder if you two might need a place to stay?” she asks. “There’s a spare room here that I don’t use. It used to be my husband’s office, but it would be easy enough to set up a bed in it. I could offer you a place to stay and money for food and things that you need, in exchange for your help with fixing up my cottage. I’m too old to do it myself and I don’t really trust repairmen and cleaning ladies in my home.”
“But yet you trust us?” Granite asks. “Two complete strangers that you found on the side of the street?”
The elderly woman smiles at him and wags a crooked and wrinkled finger between the two of us.
“Yes,” she chuckles. “I think I do. Don’t really know why, but I get the feeling that you two are just a couple of young lovers that have been through more than your share in this life. Am I right?”
