by Dave Ferraro
***
“You okay, Shanna?” Quinn paused at the edge of the riverbank and watched Shanna for a moment. She was lying down, her legs bent up in front of her. She didn’t seem to notice his presence, let alone respond, but continued to look into the water, as if it were telling her things.
“You want a blanket?” he offered, trying again. He noted her t-shirt and imagined that she had to be cold. He felt cold just looking at her. He glanced at the trees that leaned over the stream, mostly bare with some straggling leaves left in hues of brown and gold. Winter was coming and the Fall weather was strongly hinting at it.
He nodded to himself, having decided, and left to come out five minutes later with two blankets. He draped one over Shanna, who looked up at him briefly. “What?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he smiled back at her. He lay down next to her, covering himself with the other blanket. He stared into the stream with her, watching the gentle flow of the water, recalling how she had helped him in his time of need. He was going to return the favor whether she wanted his help or not.
“It’s peaceful out here,” he decided aloud, and that was the last word that either of them spoke, even as darkness fell hours later and the stars gazed down upon them.
The End