One year later

Chapter Eight

Lilly walks through to the kitchen, holding a heavy looking bag in one hand and a gun in the other. Meanwhile, Daniel's behind her with another two.

"Clementine, can you take these upstairs?" Lilly asks me, motioning to the bags. I nod.

"Sure."

Daniel drops the bags in relief.

"Here . .  ." He says, handing me one of them. My legs buckle for a minute. It's really heavy.

"What the hell's in this thing?!" I ask.

"That's what I said, weighs a ton," Daniel says. Then he stops for a minute, before taking the bag from me and going upstairs with it.

"Thanks," I say when Daniel re enters the kitchen.

"But I could have done it myself."

He nods, "I know, but I could have taken it up just as easily. Anyway, feel free to take up the other ones."

I smile, rolling my eyes.

"Oh jeez, thanks."

After I've taken up all the bags I go into my room to check on AJ.

He's sitting perfectly still and is staring at the wall. It's really weird.

"AJ?" I say hesitantly. He looks around, sees me and beams.

"Cem!"

"Hey, buddy. How about you go back to sleep?" I say, tucking him up with his teddy. He looks up at me with big eyes.

"But not tired yet," he says mournfully.

"Okay AJ, I'll sing something for you," I say. He nods sleepily, closing his eyes.

I think back to a song my mom used to sing to me from that old movie, Mary Poppins. It was called Feed the Birds.

"Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes
In her own special way to the people she calls,
Come, buy my bags full of crumbs;
Come feed the little birds,
Show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do
Their young ones are hungry
Their nests are so bare
All it takes is tuppence from you
Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag
Feed the birds, that's what she cries
While overhead, her birds fill the skies

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares
Although you can't see it,
You know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares

Though her words are simple and few
Listen, listen, she's calling to you
Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag"
AJ's asleep, a happy look on his face.

"Wow."

I turn around and see Daniel leaning on the door frame, looking surprised.

"Where you there the whole time?" I ask, feeling embarrased.

"I came up to tell you that dinner's ready, but I didn't want to disturb you. You have a beautiful voice by the way," he says.

I blush a little, feeling surprised.

"Thanks."

~~~

Later

Dinner isn't great, but I'm so hungry it tastes almost as good as fresh pasta. Almost.