As I lay on my stomach on the bed, my shirt once again off and cold meat being applied to my back by Jesse, I winced at the stinging. " Sorry." He said applying another piece. "But I draws out the poison. Ma'd be up here doin' this 'cept she had to make diner. She's happier than I ever seen her with a girl in the house now."

"Yeah well looks like I'll be here for a while. It'll take me at least a week or so to work off my debt." I said turning my head and looking at him. He was placing the last piece of meat on my back. Setting the empty bowl aside he stood up and walked towards the dresser and pulling out some clothes. He placed them on the bed beside me and sat down again.

"Where are you from anyways?" he asked pressing the meat deeper into my back. I bit my lip.

"I think the question in where am I NOT from." I said laughing and playing with the corner of the pillow. "I've been everywhere. Big cities, small cities. You name it I've lived there."

"There ain't no crops to steal from in the big cities. Where did you get your food from?" he asked sitting back and looking out the window. I frowned.

"Nothing you want to know about." I said in a quiet voice. He raised his eyebrows and turned to face me.

"You were a paid lady.?" he asked, his voice softer. I nodded.

"Don't feel sorry for me." I said quickly. He nodded and began pulling the meat off my back. I sat up painfully, my back to him and pulled on the shirt he had laid out.

"I'll just leave while you finished getting changed." He said standing up.

"Jesse." I said standing up. "Don't tell anybody, okay?" He nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him. I quickly changed my pants and headed down the stairs. The entire family was gathered around the table, the food hadn't been touched. Had they been waiting for me? I hoped not. I sat down between Jim and Jesse's mom. We all joined hands as she began grace.

"Thank you god for the meal set before us. We thank you for bringing us all home safely again today god. Please bless this family and guide it towards the path of holiness, and watch over our new guest, Katie and help her become one of your children. Thank you." we all murmured amen and let go of each other's hands. It was as if world war two had started. Hands and spoons were flying, fighting over the different dishes of food. I simply laughed at sat back, letting them get what they wanted.

"BOYS!" Mrs. James yelled, whacking random hands with a wooden spoon. "Have some manners. There's a lady in our presence."

"Sorry." Franck muttered passing the potatoes to me. I smiled thankfully and scooped a small portion onto my plate. Beef stew and cooked vegetables were passed my way in the same manor and I filled my plate. Soon enough, everybody was eating and laughing. I'd never been in this kind of situation so I sat back and laughed along with them.

"So, Katie, how long you been in town for? I don't remember seeing you 'round." Cole said smiling, "and I'm sure I'd remember a pretty face like yours."

"Oh I've been here for a couple days...just got in." I said. I didn't want any of them knowing where I had been sleeping at night. "Well then, we'll have to show you the town tomorrow, and you can meet the rest of us. " he said smiling.

"I'd like that." I said smiling gratefully. I picked up my plate and brought it to the sink.

"Why don't you go on up to bed dear." Mrs. James said smiling. "We'll take care of the clean up."

"It's okay, I'll-"

"No. You've had a long day. You can sleep in Jesse's room, he can sleep on the floor beside you. If you need anything, just wake him up. He's as good as gold." I nodded.

"Thank you very much." I had never been treated so nicely and I didn't know what to say. Making my way up the stairs I realized just how tired I was. I reached the room at the top of the stairs and fell onto the bed, stomach first, falling asleep almost immediately, thinking of the events that would come to pass the next day.