Separated

Flowers

The sun would be setting soon, in a couple hours that is. Aj was starting to get restless. He ended up falling asleep thirty minutes in, but when he woke up two hours later he wanted to stretch and walk around, not stay seated in the car.

In an attempt to distract the boy, Kenny tossed a granola bar to him. Staring blankly at the bar in his hands he tossed the idea of saving it for later, however the grumble coming from his stomach said otherwise.

Ripping the wrapper open he spilt it in half. Aj decided it was best to eat some now, and the rest later. This however didn't go un-noticed by the older man. Looks like this apocalypse took a bigger toll on the kid than he thought it did.

there was a time when he was younger, he wouldn't have hesitated to devour the entire food given to him. The older he'd gotten the more he realized food would have to be saved, in order to make it last.

Keeping his poker face on, Kenny continued to drive as if he had witnessed nothing. He wondered how long they'd be able to drive for. The gas was sure to run out some time.

The more they drove, the more the sun was racing to set. Welcoming the night to take over in the sky.

Deciding now was the best time as any to pull over, Kenny slowly stepped on the brakes. The car coming to a stop near a small flower field.

"can I step outside for a bit!" Aj quickly asked, his whole body was practically bouncing the seat.

"Sure kiddo, how about we step out together."

Aj nodded ecstatically. The moment Aj's feet landed on the floor he took off twards the flower field, in order to admire the flowers.

His small hands cupped one of the flower buds. His thumbs tracing over the red petals.

Seeing the little interaction made Kenny want to do the same. His much larger hands cupped a different flower. His rough finger pad traced over every little line on the pink petal. Removing one of his hands, it slid down grabbing lightly at the stem.

"hey, Aj want me to teach you how to make flower crowns"

Aj looked up from the flower he was looking at "What are flower crowns?" he shifted his body so it was facing him.

"they're like hats made out of flowers. Clem used to make them all the time when you were little. She's the one who taught me" he explained the best he could.

"I wanna learn!" he ran over to him

With a smile, he began plucking a bunch of flowers. Aj copying his movements. Making sure his movements were slow enough for Aj to understand he began weaving the steams together.

For a moment Kenny was afraid he'd forgotten how to make them, but it all came back to him. Just like riding a bike. Aj struggled at first, but getting a few tips form Kenny his flowers soon took the form of a crown.

with a big smile he held up his finished crown. "Grandpa Ken! I did it! Look I did it!"

"you sure did kiddo" he placed the crown he had made on his head.

Aj had to stand in order to reach the older mans head. His hands pulled off the hat he wore daily, and instead placed the crown he had made on the others head.

"thank you, it's lovely" he smiled "we should rest for the night. Feel free to sleep in since we have a working car, I'm the only one who has to be awake."

"okay" he replied plainly. The two made their way back to where they parked the car, the moon lighting up the way.

When morning finally came, Kenny started up the car. Aj still soundless asleep behind him. It wasn't till around noon when the boy finally awoke.