"Hell, Fields, that Yankee pork was just what the 'doctor' ordered, Doc," the sergeant laughed as he complimented and teased his assistant the next morning after Lou's gun play. He had come to appreciate this kids' quiet strength and tireless hands, arms and back. It didn't seem that this abuse phased this accomplished farrier and healer. Unrelenting in his attempts to irritate Lou, he had learned not to expect a response of anger or sullenness, but still, he tried.
Lou said distractedly, "Yes, Sergeant."
Maddox had failed again to get any energy back or tone of resentment or aggravation. That game was always the same - Maddox tried to rile Lou and she always resisted being out of sorts.
Then Lou realized she was suddenly hot, very hot. The August sun had moved to shine right on her and the sergeant. It was hot, Georgia August hot. Two layers, wool/cotton jeans, were most uncomfortable in the ninety plus temperature of an August day in Georgia. She unbuttoned her coat, pulled it off and unbuttoned her vest and shirt collar. Tugging at her homespun heavy cotton shirt she fanned the shirt front trying to get some air down the unbuttoned collar. No relief was achieved. Getting up, she went over in front of Sergeant Maddox and squatted down to pick up his eating gear.
"Damnation, that ham fill you out? You've gotten thick, boy! Devil Almighty, you gaining weight? A person would think it would be contrary. Hard gaining weight on half rations. That ham sure filled you out." The sergeant chuckled, trying again to shake Lou's placid behavior.
"Well, Sarg - well . . . . I guess I'm just still growing," Lou said haltingly as she felt a wave of panic. She thought, "My secret must not be found out!" She quickly stood up, grabbed her vest pulling it together and turned her back to Maddox. She walked away slowly, wanting to run but she restrained that impulse.
The sergeant went on to a new topic, "God, Almighty. It's sure hot. Been in this infernal clime all my life but damn if the down south summers don't sap me." With that complaint he moved out of the sun into the shade of a big, bell-shaped chestnut tree.
"Yes Sergeant," she said over her shoulder as she buttoned up her vest and moved away from the stirring sergeant. She needed desperately to be away from the sergeant and everybody else. Her panic and dread bounced inside her soul like a rubber ball Alex played with for months when they were five. "Sergeant, think I'll find a creek and wash up a bit," Lou told the fat, smelly man who was settling in. The robust short man pulled his hat down over his face, his arm folded above his big belly. She walked away as he mumbled something she didn't hear.