Pearl 24 It took Rafe several minutes before he calmed down. Taking a shaky breath he ran his fingers through his hair and then continued walking. He kept going till he came to an old barn set against an outcrop of trees. The trees were younger then the barn and looked as if they were planted to hide the evidence of the homestead. Rafe knew the place well from his childhood; it was all that was left of the Walker place. His father had planted the trees as if the beauty of the grove could wipe out the sadness of the place. He walked around in the barn some more till he found what he was looking for.
It was a small cardboard box half hidden in the rotting straw. He knew what was in the box, broken promises. Slowly he got down on his knees and drew the box out. He allowed himself to open it and remember.

Flash back:
"Rafe I brought you some cookies I made them myself." Iz said in a small voice, as she looked at Rafe his leg in a splint. "I hope you are feeling better today." She handed Danny a dented cardboard box. Stepping back she hid behind her brother as he gave Rafe the cookies.

"You scared her yesterday Rafe," Danny said explaining his sisters actions. "No one but our father used words like that before and then the blood." He shrugged his shoulders. "She was up half the night crying for you." Leaning down he whispered, "Our father wasn't to thrilled about that." Danny stood up quickly and missed the angry look that came into Rafe's eyes at Danny's words.

"Iz, come over here for a minute please?" Rafe asked her putting a pleading look onto his face.

Slowly she went out from behind her brother's back and stood in front of Rafe. She watched him as he sat there.

Still not satisfied Rafe gently took her arm and pulled her slowly onto his lap. Wrapping his arms around her waist he started to speak. "Crying over me, now why would you do that? I am sorry that I scared you sweetie I promise that I will never do that again."

Turning in his arms Iz wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you Rafe," she said hugging him close."

"Now as your brother Danny fixes the mess he made of the wings why don't you and I make a promise box."


Rafe stood there and brushed the dust off the box slowly sitting down in the barn. He pulled out the papers that were in the box. Unfolding one he saw his handwriting and the words I will never scare you. He remembered Iz spelling out the words for him as she sat on the grass. She had been wearing jeans and a shirt that was too small on her. When she bent over he noticed several bruises on her back. It was those bruises that caused him to make another promise one he didn't write down, the one to never hurt her.