Unlikely Angel

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Morning came far too quickly for Johnny’s liking. He’d spent most of the night burying the family, exactly what family he did not know for he knew better than to try to ask Susan her last name. He finally finished and cleaned up a bit and then fell asleep in the chair where he’d sat to brush the girl’s hair. He felt like he had barely fallen asleep when he felt a patting on his chest. He forced his eyes open and there was Susan climbing up on his lap.

“Is it morning already Susan?”

“Morning.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Hungry.”

“Well, I don’t know how to make much but I think I can manage some breakfast.”

After breakfast Johnny saddled the horse and packed a few of Susan’s things. He was securing everything when Susan walked up and tugged on his jacket.

“Johnny. Johnny Calder.”

“Susan, just call me Johnny.”

“Johnny.”

“Right, I’m almost ready to go now.”

Susan ran in the house and when Johnny went in to collect her, he found her in the rocking chair with her worn blanket rocking and running the ribbon between her fingers.

“Susan,” Johnny called, “I’m ready.”

Susan didn’t look at him at all.

“Johnny go away. Johnny leave. Mama leave. Daddy leave. Joe leave. Tom leave. All go away. All leave Susan.”

Johnny squatted down in front of her once he got over having heard the closest to a speech that had come from her in his brief time here.

“Susan, I’m not leaving you. No one left you on purpose, your mama and daddy and your brothers didn’t want to leave you. They loved you, Susan. I’m sure of that.”

“Love me.”

“Yes, I know they must have. I’ve known you less than a day and you’re growin’ on me.”

“Growing on.”

“That’s right. And I want you to come with me now.”

“With Johnny.”

“To my home, Susan. Will you come with me?”

“Susan go home with Johnny.”

Johnny secured Susan in front of him in the saddle where he could make sure she stayed on. He wasn’t sure how much she had ridden and he didn’t trust that she’d not fall. He set off for home knowing there would be a barrage of questions when he rode up with this little girl and he hoped his well meaning friends wouldn’t scare her. He still didn’t know what was wrong with her but he knew she was not like other children. He wasn’t sure what would become of her but there was no way he could just leave her to her own devices. On they rode; Johnny kept one hand protectively around his young charge while she went along with her blanket wrapped around her and drew. Every once in a while Johnny would look down at the pad of paper and saw her pictures of the scenery they passed. There was even one drawing of the two of them as they must have looked riding along the trail back home.

He decided he ought to try and ready her for the greeting she’d likely receive. Alice’s was a crowded place and each of them had once been a stray as Susan seemed to be now.

“You ought to be prepared, Susan,” he began, “There’s a few other folks where I live. I guess we’re like a family.”

“Family.”