Constant

Chapter 18

(LYDIA)

I glanced over my shoulder to look at the small house behind me. Peter had been thrilled to learn that his house had survived the attack. The windows were smashed and the place was a disaster but it was still standing. We had unpacked our few things and then cleaned for most of the night. When the last piece of broken glass was cleared out of the way we decided that it was time to go to bed and leave the rest for the morning. Peter held me in his arms all night long and I realized that I was finally home. 

The next morning I awoke alone and based on the brightness outside I realized that it was late morning already. I had overslept after being awake for most of the night cleaning. Peter was already gone and I knew that he had wanted to let me get some rest. I climbed out of bed humming to myself as I straightened the covers. I left the bedroom and pulled back the blankets that we had hung in front of the shattered windows. The little house looked different in the sunlight. I glanced around the room and my eyes fell on a small vase that was stuffed with bright wildflowers. I smiled at the thought of Peter picking those for me. 

I tidied up a few of the things that we had left the night before and pulled on my dress. Ellie had sent us with some of Susan's thick bread and a little jar of jam. I smeared the jam on a slice of the bread that was still soft and bit into it. My eyes closed and I decided that I would have to ask Susan for the secret of making such delicious bread. I figured that she might be baking the bread for that evening's meal right now. She would probably let me watch. I tied my hair into a braid and set out in the direction of her house.

I jumped in surprise as the door that I was reaching for burst open. Petey burst through the doorway and stomped past me letting the door slam shut behind him. His little shoulders were slumped and he kicked at a pebble on the ground with his toe as he walked. One big kick sent the pebble flying and it smacked the side of the house that was in front of him with a loud thunk. 

"What's the matter?" I asked him and he shook his head looking at the ground to avoid looking at me. I walked over to where he stood expecting him to run away from me but he was holding completely still other than the shaking of his shoulders. I knew how it felt to have an adult towering over me so I crouched down in front of him and waited for his eyes to meet mine. I reached out to take his hand. "I wish that you would talk to me," I said softly. 

Eventually his eyes rose up to mine and I held his gaze for a few seconds then he sniffed and looked away from me pulling his hand back. Still he didn't turn and run like I had expected. His eyes darted around for a second and he took a deep breath. 

"Do you feel like I stole Peter away from you?" I asked. I didn't know what was wrong or what had made the little boy so angry.

"No," He mumbled quietly and wiped his nose on his sleeve. 

"Do you not like me?"

He shook his head quickly and the hair on his forehead flopped back and forth. 

"Then what is the matter?" 

"I want someone to play with," He said simply and I was surprised. His little outburst was caused by loneliness. I understood loneliness. 

"Would it be alright if I played with you?" I asked and his eyebrows rose up and he finally looked me in the eye holding my gaze. 

"You want to play with me?" He asked.

"Of course!" I said excitedly not knowing what we would do. I hadn't ever spent time with a small child. I looked around and my eyes fell on the barn. I remembered being his age, I had  been fascinated with horses. "Why don't we go on a ride?" I asked him and his eyes got wide.