A Tale of Two Carnies

29 - Friend Or Prisoner?

Cozbi spent the afternoon sketching nature scenes in the fields around the Dancing Bear and by the stream behind the building. She wandered around but I kept an eye on her, checking in from time to time. Communing with nature seemed like good medicine for her. When she joined me in our room, her cheeks were rosy, and she appeared more relaxed.

We ate dinner downstairs in the Dancing Bear's dining room. Other than some curious glances, none of the other customers paid us any attention. I wasn't sure if that was due to people not knowing who Cozbi was or if they just didn't care. I felt relieved they were leaving us alone.

When we finished eating, I returned to our room. Cozbi stayed in the dining room, sitting at a corner table, sketching the patrons. I understood her obsession since drawing was in her blood and had always been a source of comfort. She returned to the room around nine after the dining room closed. The bar usually remained open until midnight, but the patrons there were quiet.

She showed me the sketches. Her artwork hadn't suffered as a result of her imprisonment and might have become even better. Instead of always sketching smiling characters, she infused her subjects with soulful expressions making them appear more lifelike.

"These are really good, Cozbi. Did you try to sell any of them?"

She shook her head. "I don't think our hosts would appreciate it if I bothered their customers about buying sketches."

Good point. "Do you want me to ask Trevor if it's okay for you to do that?"

She set her sketchpad on top of the dresser and yawned. "What does it matter if we're only going to be here a few days?"

Another good point. "Are you tired?"

She nodded.

"We should go to bed. Tomorrow this place will be noisy with live music and dancing. We won't be able to sleep until after the band quits at midnight."

She lit up. "Do you think we can watch from the balcony? I'd love to sketch people dancing and the band performing."

Why did she just want to watch? "We could join them."

She hesitated. "I'm nervous about being exposed to so many people."

"I understand. Things will be different when we move away from the area."

She said nothing more about it. She grabbed her toothbrush and headed to one of the shared bathrooms. When she returned, she stripped down to the nightshirt she had slipped on underneath. It was just long enough to cover everything that needed to be covered.

I took my turn in the bathroom, making it quick. When done, I locked our room door, turned off the light, and slid into bed beside her wearing only my boxers.

We both lay on our backs staring at the ceiling. She hadn't objected to sleeping in the same bed with me, but that didn't mean she wanted what I wanted. I had to find out if she changed her mind about keeping me friend zoned. "Cozbi, do you remember what you said to me that last day at the carnival?"

"I don't want to talk about that day."

"I'm not referring to what happened to Marlin Cleveland. I mean earlier when we met outside my trailer. You said it bothered you to see me with a townie girl and that it was time to give me a chance. What I need to know is...did you mean it?"

She hesitated before speaking. "I said I'd give you a chance if you caught me."

"Don't you think we're beyond that? We're here in bed together. Have your feelings changed toward me? Will they ever?"

She spoke in an irritated tone. "Yesterday morning I was on trial for my life. Don't push me, Jacey, I need to get used to breathing fresh air again."

I kept my voice calm. "I'm not pushing you. I just want to know if you feel any differently toward me."