Agent Out of Time

She backed away from me in surprise rubbing at her rear as she did so, "What was that for?"

"To keep you from getting too complacent. Go on with you now! There's reconstruction work to be done."

"Now?" She asked uncertainly.

"Yes now! What are you waiting for, a golden invitation?"

She smiled at me, the first in what seemed like an age. She came to me then and her arms looped around me in a hug, which I gently returned.

She drew back a little, "You've always pushed too hard, but you've always been there for me to. Thank you grandpa for everything!"

I watched her go then. I shook my head, as I thought to myself how odd it was that the battles and torments of one's own past could become the object lessons and encouragements needed to help the younger generation through the difficulties they faced in the present. It was sort of like I had been paving the way forward for them with my life. I liked being able to do it for them, but I just wished I hadn't had to experience what I had just the same. Still, if what happens to one in life is largely unavoidable, then at least some of the bad occurrences I had suffered were turning out with more positive endings to them.

Deshavi's foot snapped a twig and Trent looked around and showed surprise at seeing her. They were at the opening of the cut and it was colder there. Deshavi, with her arms wrapped around herself, for warmth, surprised Trent even further by stepping up against his chest.

Before he could frame a question of why or ask what was wrong she looked up and sincerely asked, "Could you just please hold me and tell me I'm pretty?"

Trent's arms closed around her with a gentle firmness. "You were never pretty Deshavi. You've always been nothing but beautiful to me!"

I stuttered to awakeness by reason of a persistent nightly urge. Oh it sucked to get old, especially always having to go at night! Grumpily I got up and left the campsite to deal with my pressing need. When I came back to the campsite I stirred up the embers of the dying fire into a small blaze, as I like the extra heat at night.

I got up from the fire and started to head back for my blanket and pallet of dried grass, when I saw something that gave me pause. I stepped closer wanting to see more of what the firelight had revealed. I had noticed that Deshavi and Trent had bedded down closer to each other and now I knew why.