Chapter 5

She returned downstairs before the man. Sitting at the table things were normal, as if the accident had never happened. When John appeared downstairs again he had changed into more casual clothing, taking his spot near Billie at the head of the table again. The two could still not look at one another. Their avoidance was more obvious than Billie fearing herself starring at him all night. The family however was simply unaware of any alternate emotions occurring between the two. When dinner winded down it took a considerable amount of time for the plates to be piled in the sink and the younger children tended to once more. The cookies Audrey had made earlier that day were dessert, several members of the family helping themselves to the treat.

Outside the sky had darkened, the family preparing for the night ahead. The once filled kitchen and table had dwindled to just five people. John changed his seat to sit closer to Earl, the baby in the high chair, and was feeding him small pieces of a cookie. Audrey roamed between the rooms, Mary and Billie sitting at the end of the table, talking and laughing lightly. Audrey asked her brother if he'd like a cup of coffee and in a moment he was given a mug, sipping the black liquid after only adding a small amount of cream.

It wasn't until now, when there were few people in the room in the easy atmosphere, that Billie allowed her eyes to drift to the man. He was feeding the baby, sometimes gently brushing aside his light hair, observing him all the while with a small, warm smile. He appeared completely comfortable; naturally attentive. Did he have children of his own? She knew nothing about him. Her eyes drifting toward the window she realized the hour and her further intrusion on the family.

"Well, I ought to get going...it's getting dark..."

This time Mary did not protest, knowing their visit that day would be drawing to a close. Still, she did not wish to give up her best friend that easily, even if they would see each other at school within hours. "I'll walk with you," she offered.

Audrey overheard the girls' conversation. "Your Uncle will go with you," she added.

The kids often went several places by themselves but when they could have a companion it was always preferred. At the mention of him John shot his head up, glancing to his sister than over to the girls. Mary had brightened, excited by the idea. She stood, leaning toward him.

"Oh, yes! Come on, Uncle Joh-" abruptly she stopped. She had almost called him by his real name. She had been looking at him and now held all his attention, his dark eyes glaring back to hers, fearing what was to come. He remained silent though she had made her mistake obvious. The only one in the room they hid this information from was Billie, though in her mind she did not catch on the real situation.

Her eyes were actually dreamy and a little smirk played on her lips. "Were you thinking about John Hutchinson?" she asked in an excited whisper, mentioning a boy at school whom her friend admired. Assuming she had been daydreaming about him and slipped his name caused humor in her face. That had not been the case though Mary gladly took the opportunity to excuse her mishap.

"N-no," she replied, then a moment later rolled her eyes for effect, allowing her friend to make her own assumptions. Of course Billie giggled, convinced.

John considered the sudden blunder now in the clear and rose from the table, preparing to leave. "You two aren't talking about boys, are you?" he questioned with that negative suspicion. He glanced over to his niece, the two of them communicating silently and slowly a smile grew. Mary laughed, scooting past the table and out of the room with Billie. She gathered her belongings, bidding adieu to the family and thanking them for dinner. Audrey gave her a quick hug before the trio left the house.

- - -

It was a warm evening though the onset of autumn was approaching fast. Soon the air would become more crisp until it felt brutally cold, then they would be in the overwhelming phase of winter. For now, the remnants of summer breezes still lingered in the air. The walk to Billie's house was through woodlands and farmland, the three of them strolling alongside dirt roads and fences. Though not completely dark it would be by the time John and Mary began their trip back. They had started out in a line although now the girls walked a few paces ahead of John. He lingered behind with Billie's books under his arm, he having offered to hold them, and feeling a little nostalgia toward a youth that had passed many years ago.

"I think I want to wear blue," Mary spoke. She had been musing about a dance coming up at school, her thoughts focused on the dress. "I think I might have my mother make it, I just about know what I want. Sometimes, when I'm in class, I draw little pictures of what I see," she admitted to her friend with a laugh. "My notebook is full of them!"

Billie grinned with a chuckle. She was attempting to converse with her friend while coping with the fact that her flame lingered right behind. She was more aware of most everything, he perhaps altering her perspective. Every little interaction she held with him was a rush, no matter how miniscule. She was love-struck. She even lingered on the notion that he held her things and at some point he'd have to give them back, that insinuating contact again. John listened to the girls closely though remained quiet, amused and intrigued by their young vitality; their speech and energy and approach. It gave him insight to an aspect of life he was hardly aware still existed.

"Have you given much thought to your dress?" Mary questioned her friend. Billie nodded slowly.

"Oh, um, yes...though I haven't made much effort into its creation," she laughed, knowing how thoroughly her friend had, to the point of a seamstress, style and fabric. Undaunted Mary continued, speaking of the boys she hoped would attend with her. At this John perked up.

"Who you goin' with?" he interrupted with strict authority. His niece rolled her eyes, sighing.

"Nobody..."

"Good," John replied. "Cause you know if you are he's gotta come by the house first."

He was acting like her father and Mary huffed again, amused but uninterested. She allowed the space between the group to change again, she thrusting her arms around John's waist and hugging him.

"Ohhh, Uncle Jimmy!" she embraced him, only the two understanding the silliness of the name. Billie turned to see her friend in a moment with her uncle, smiling, though inside she was actually jealous she got to be close to him. Mary was more than grateful to have her uncle, for however long it was this time, he being the relative she was most close to despite the frequent separation. His feelings were mutual.

Staying by his side Mary's arm remained around the mans waist while they walked. Billie was left to feel a little outed, now walking ahead of the two by herself. As she turned John noted her distance, speaking to get her back. "What about you?" The girl turned, alert but questioning. "You have a date?" he asked specifically.

The blush came to her cheeks and he smirked despite himself. "Uh uh," Billie shook her head, a glimmer in her eye.

"Good," he said again. Mary admonished his behavior by gently slapping his stomach and they all shared a laugh.

Asking Billie that question gave John a different feeling. It wasn't entirely the parental protectiveness as it should have been; as was normal. He was curious in a more...selfish way. He wouldn't examine the feelings enough to determine if he wished to be the object of her affection or jealous by another suitor. He was not the type to be intimidated by a young boy; rather, he merely wished to know for a better sense of her. Still he had to acknowledge that when he heard her answer he felt some kind of excitement. That realization alone was worth a great deal.

The group was nearing another location of housing. They rested in the distance, a sparse community separated by pastures and fields though a neighborhood nonetheless. The girls seemed to slow and eventually Billie came to a complete halt. She twisted on her heel with a brilliant smile.

"I can make it from here."

John frowned slightly, wondering why they did not continue. "We'll take you to your door."

She shook her head. "No, it's alright, we always stop here." The man waited but both girls had opted to be stagnant. Finally giving in he shrugged, untucking the books from his arm and offering them to her. Mary gave a quick hug to her friend as she made to walk away.

"See you soon!" she waved.

John watched her figure grow smaller as it moved away from him. "Yeah, come back and see us," he added. Billie waved back and nodded to his comment, giggling as she walked on. Mary chuckled into her uncles chest, always amused by his audacity.