She Coyote

6. Unlikely companion

COYOTE

There was a very intense moment of quiet between the three of us as their mother scurried about to set everything before us on the wooden surface. I retracted my hand from the table and placed both of them in my lap.

Finally, the younger girl hopped up onto the chair opposite of me and her mother beside her. "Alright, who's hungry?" She rubbed her hands together, eyes glued to the feast she prepared.

Just looking at the food had my stomach growling. Was I allowed to eat as much as I wanted or was I supposed to I control myself for the sake of manners? All I knew at that time was that I wanted to devour that whole green bean casserole in one bite and hit the road.

"Jasper, would you please say grace for us?" The mother asked him very politely, her lips curled in a soft smile.

He seemed slightly embarrassed by the request. "Me? Um...sure, if I have to."

And that seemed to be the cue for everyone to bow their head and close their eyes. I felt incredibly out of place since I had no idea what the absolute fuck was going on. I knew what saying grace meant and it was a religious thing, but I had never experienced it first hand.

"Dear father, we come before you today very humbled and thankful for the blessings you have provided us with. Thank you for this day and thank you for our food. In Jesus' name, Amen." It was spoken through haste, the ending spoken very abruptly. Jasper's prayer seemed very monotone and rehearsed, like this was simply a routine and not a genuine declaration of gratitude.

"Amen," the group echoed. His brother drew a cross over his chest with his hand, then the family immediately darted their hands out to grab and shovel various food items onto their plates. Hm. Catholic.

I waited and watched patiently as Jude filled his dish with the casserole and some extra veggies on the side. He retrieved a slice of bread and slathered an extra dollop of butter on top. After he finished dressing the bread, he filled his bowl with the steamy soup, which seemed to contain chopped up chicken, carrots, and celery. It smelled like heaven.

Jasper did the same, only piling up his plate even taller, and taking two pieces of bread instead of one. I once again felt very much out of my comfort zone, unaware if I was to simply take whatever I wanted or hold back. I was invited over to eat dinner, but I never imagined I could be so anxious from something as simple as this.

"Coyote, dear? Aren't you hungry?" The mom asked in a very tender, nurturing voice. Her eyes were a dark chocolate brown, and the flame behind them was the same as Jasper's: gentle and full of warmth.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry I just have a lot on my mind," I murmured. Shit, why was that my first excuse? I should have just said no. But that would have made me sound dumb since I was invited over to literally fucking eat. I hated the idea of life at that moment.