I Love You

That night, when her foster parents went to bed, Marty sneaked out of the cottage. She carried a small kerosene lamp. She just had to go and check on Todd! She had to make sure that he and his Aunt Barbara were alright.

As she left upon the path leading to the Peter Manning's farm house, Dr. Larry, Merrie, and Danny were all sleeping peacefully in their beds. She walked quickly down the dirt road. As she approached the little cabin of Peter Manning, she was overcome by the strong odor of pig manure. The horrid scent made her want to throw up her supper. She pinched her nostrils closed as she walked closer. She tried to move swiftly and quietly, her little legs carrying her towards the house. She paused only for a minute, searching in the dark by the light of the lamp until she saw his window.

Very softly, she rapped upon the closed wooden shudders. A moment later, he opened them, and to his surprise, he saw Marty. "what are you doing here?" Todd questioned.

Despite his initial shock, Todd was so happy to see her. He reached out for Marty, helping her inside. Once she stood in his bedroom beside him, he said, "Why did you come? You might get in trouble. It may not be safe!"

Before she could answer, he pulled her close and he kissed her softly, tenderly, on the lips. The sweet kiss lasted only a second. Marty shuddered from head to toe when she felt Todd's lips on hers.

She pulled away, staring at him questioningly. Thankfully, he had set the little lamp aside. It gave off a soft glow in his bedroom, so Marty could see his eyes.

She gazed at him lovingly. "I couldn't stay away. I came to visit you earlier... I was looking through the window and I saw your uncle hit your aunt."

Her voice rose, almost to the point of hysterics. Todd knew he had to calm her. "Shhhhh." Todd warned. "No one can know about that. He says if we tell anyone, he'll kill us!"

Marty was scared. She didn't know what to do. She could see by the golden light of the lamp that Todd had bruises. The dark discolorations covered his face and wrists. His eyes looked sunken and hallow. A lot of the life had gone out of him in the space of just a day. Todd was different somehow, yet Marty couldn't quite pinpoint why. She was much too young... and far too innocent. She couldn't comprehend the horrors that Todd had gone through. He was changed forever now, but she still loved him. She loved him with every breath of her body.

His uncle had hit him. She knew that wasn't right. Peter Manning was an evil man.

Tears come to Marty's eyes as she stared at him. She didn't want Todd to be hurt. She loved him! She wanted Todd to be safe.

"I don't want anyone to hurt you, Todd. I love you," she said as she held him tight. She lay her head against his chest as she cried quietly. The tears fell on his shirt, wetting it.

"Maybe we should go away from this place forever," she sobbed. "And be on our own."

"Can we go back to Boston? I only want to be with you," Marty begged. She had to protect Todd. She had to get him away from Peter.

Solemnly, Todd shook his head. He pulled away from her embrace, looking into her eyes.

"You have a good place to live with Dr. Larry. Now you have plenty to eat. You will never go hungry again. You will never get cold and sick. We can't go back - not ever!" Todd whispered fiercely. "Everything will be fine; I promise! My uncle is angry now, but he's going to get over it. Aunt Barbara and I will be fine. We have to make the best of things. You and I can NEVER go back."

"I hope you are right, Todd," she said. She didn't really believe him.

"I do like living at Dr. Larry's," she added quietly.

"He and Merrie are very nice to me," she stated. "I've always wanted a little brother."

Hearing her words, he smiled. Marty was happy and that's all that mattered. He'd go through any pains and whatever suffering, as long as Marty was safe and living in a happy home.

"I'm glad they're good to you, Marty, but you gotta go now. My uncle could wake up and he- well, it wouldn't be good if he found you here," Todd said. He gave her a gentle nudge toward the window.

Before she left, he gave her one last kiss. His lips were soft and tender, like the wings of a butterfly. "Go home quickly," he said as he handed her the kerosene lamp. "And be careful."

"I will be careful," she told him. "I love you."

Her words echoed in his ears a long time after.