Clyde

Starting Over

It's the next day.

I stayed awake all night, absolutely no sleep whatsoever. The night was safe.

"You're already awake?" Lyle sounded groggy.

"I've been awake".

"Did you sleep?".

"No".

Lyle sighed, "Okay, let's go start some coffee".

Lyle got up and the two of us went to his little fire. He started the fire and some coffee.

"Are you going to get Dean?" I asked.

Lyle nodded.

"Okay, when are you doing that?".

"I should go do it soon. I'll wait until you're settled".

I nodded.

Lyle finished the coffee and handed it to me, "If anyone wakes up, there should be enough. You're alright?".

"Yeah".

"Okay, I'll be back soon".

Lyle got on Blackjack and rode off. It wasn't long until I heard rustling around the camp.

"Morning Amira" Pa walked out his tent.

"Morning".

"What's wrong?" Pa asked as he sat down.

I sighed, "Nothing. I just had a rough night".

"Id imagine. Seems you had it the worst. Fucking Phil, that son of a bitch".

I didn't answer.

"I wonder what on earth happened to him".

I nodded.

"Wanna talk about it?" Pa asked.

I shook my head.

Pa took a second, "Okay, alright. We're all here for you. You know that Amira?".

"Yeah I know. There's coffee here if y'all want it".

Pa poured himself a cup of coffee.

"We made it ladies and gentlemen!" Orville exclaimed as he walked out of his tent.

Pa and Orville laughed and hugged for a minute. Pa then poured another cup of coffee for him.

"Amira," Orville took a sip of his coffee, " You alright little lady?".

I nodded, "I will be".

It was quiet for a couple minutes. I could hear the wind gently blowing against the trees, birds chirping, the fire cracking.

"I Uhm..." I took a deep breath.

Orville and Pa looked at me.

"I killed Adam".

They both looked shocked.

"I know little lady. You told us last night-".

I nodded, "I know that. Just...please don't be mad at me".

"Why would we be mad Amira? You were just saying last night he was the reason everything went on the way it did" Orville smiled.

"I saw him in the smoke and I felt anger. I couldn't stop myself. I had so much built up anger from the past few years and... and I couldn't help it".

"Amira it's alright hunny" Pa put his hand on my shoulder.

"I stabbed him".

It was quiet.