Chapter 6: Isn't Obvious (Is My Face Aglow?)
About 2:30 in the dark morning Mush woke up to an unfamiliar sound. He looked around and saw Layana tossing and jerking in her sleep. He stealthily slid off of his bunk, as to not wake his bedmate and tiptoed to her. He put his hands on her face to keep her from moving; finally she did and still was sleeping. He looked at her, almost every inch. Her hair, how it laid on the pillow. Her lips, the pale pinkish color, and shape, the bottom slightly fuller than the top. He thought of her smile and how her cheeks went to dimples. Her brown eyes smiled too when shed laugh. He had forgotten all about how short she was and her limp. Suddenly he felt something on his arm, when he looked he realized it was her hand.
"Morris!?!" She said frightened in a loud whisper.
"No, no its me, Mush. You'se was havin' a dream or somedin'. You alright?" He was thinking of the name she said but remained silent.
"Uh huh, yes, I'm fine. I mean what?" She was confused to where she was for a moment, then remembered.
"Shh". Mush put his finger to his lips. He took her hand and motioned for her to come. She hesitated for a moment, but then complied. As quiet as possible they made their way up to the roof.
" I'm sorry for waking you."
"Don't worry bout it. You wanna talk?"
" Why?" She was a little confused by the question.
"I'se heard you say somedin' bout Morris. I don't know if it's the same one I'm tinkin' of but, it kinda seems like yer hidin' somedin'."
"Oh, umm." She paused for a minute. Looking right in his eyes she knew she couldn't lie to him. She was never good at it. They went to sit on a table.
"Look, I know its who you're thinking of, Morrid Delancy and I'm not exactly sure what went on between you guys, and I don't know what to say about it. All I know is that Morris took me in about a year ago. I could have died if he hadn't. But because of that he made me feel as if I owed him, and I believed him. He called me his girl; he told me I was lucky to have anyone. He said that no one would love me the way he did or want me. He some times would put me down in front of his family, some would laugh, but some didn't like it. Either way I couldn't take it anymore so I finally left. I mean I probably deserved some of it but," Her eyes started welling, her heart felt as if it was ready to burst. Mush interrupted at this point.
"No, no you'se didn't. You don't need him. An I swear if he hit you'se!"
"It's okay, calm down. He never did anything like that. I don't think he meant to hurt me, that's why it surprised me when I heard he ran away. I mean where would he go?"
"To find you'se. Even a bum like dat knows what he lost. But he ain't getting ya back, is he?" He turned and made her face him.
"I don't think so. I feel bad now though." She said through a few tears.
"Layana, you'se must have some big heart." He took his hands and cupped each side of her face and used his thumbs to wipe the tears away. She was kind of scared for a moment, but let him. She closed her eyes, about the same time she felt his lips touch hers and his breath as he backed away. He was somewhat startled by his own actions and looked away for a moment then back at her, waiting for her to say something.
" Uhh," She was at a loss for words, completely speechless. She smiled. She had never felt anything like it before, it was wonderful, and she wanted more but just keep it at that.
"Sos bout tamarra when we'se godda buy papes Weasel is gonna recognize you. So maybe we can put you in some different clothes or somedin'. You'se could wear a pair of my oder clothes, an one of Blink's hats. I'm sure we can hide dat hair of yers." He had his arm around her and they laid back on the wooden picnic table gazing at the blanket of black and blue sky speckled with bright, tiny stars. She started humming softly.
"Whadd happened to yer family?" He turned, bent his arm, and propped his head on it as he looked at her.
"Not right now, that's another story." She smiled at him and they continued to gaze at the heavens above them and eventually fell asleep.