The Green Mile and The Reporter

Brutal

It had been three days since Billy the Kid had stepped onto the mile when Brutal's truck pulled into our driveway. 

I was resting in the shade under the big tree in our yard, Joey having fought with my newly acquired wheelchair to get me there and away from Mama's fussing. I watched as Joey and Papa marched up to him, no doubt demanding to know who he was and why he was here. After a moment Joey ran and grabbed a chair from the house, carrying it over to me, Brutal following at a respectful distance, as he approached I suddenly felt all too aware of how I must look. One of my Mama's baggy dresses swallowing me up, bruised up, dark circles under my eyes, greasy hair loose around my shoulders, bare feet, in short a total mess. 

"If you need me I'll be on the porch." Joey reassured in a low voice, giving my right knee a light pat. 

I nodded and turned my attention to the large prison guard, who now toward over me even more. He gave me a sad smile, "Hello there Miss Argonne, may I have a seat?" 

My throat was still croaky and raw, and no matter how high I pulled up the collar of my shirt the bruises still showed like morbid decorations. "Of course Mr. Howell." 

The chair creaked a bit under his weight. "Are we really back to a last name basis... Miss Flick?" 

I shook my head softly. "I suppose not Brutal. I apologize, it wasn't meant to spite you. You saved my life after all. It's just... when I look at you all I can see is how much I didn't belong there..." I felt more of those damn tears crowd my eyes, something that had been almost nonstop for those few days. Between the pain of my hip and my throat, and the helpless feeling there wasn't much to turn the waterworks off. 

Brutal's expression was kind. "Maybe not, but no matter what you're a breath of fresh air. Not just for me, but for all of us, guards and inmates included." He sighed and rubbed a large hand across his eyes. "I should've been there sooner, and Dean... my god what was he thinking. And Percy-" His voice has risen to a shout but he quickly lowered it. "What happened to you Miss Argonne should've never happened, so much went wrong that day." 

"It's not your fault." I leaned forward as if to lay a hand on his shoulder but quickly fell back, sucking in a sharp breath, and placed my hand on my hip instead, pain shooting up and down my left side. 

Brutal reached out as if to steady me but I waved him off and waited for it to subside. I carefully allowed myself to relax and sit back. Brutal folded his hands in his lap. "What did the doctors say?" 

I cleared my sore throat. "It's dislocated, but it should heal within a couple weeks." 

"Will you be back soon? Maybe after it heals?" 

I looked away, allowing gross strands of hair to obscure my face. 

He sighed and looked down at his boots. "I understand. I doubt I would want to come back either if it happened to me. I want you to know Paul and I would protect you as much as we possibly could. We wouldn't let anything happen to you." 

I sniffed and brushed some hair back. "I appreciate that, but I don't even have a way to get to and from the prison in this chair." 

"I would be willing to pick you up in my truck if you decided." He shook his head. "But I don't want you to be pressured." 

"What about... what about Del?" 

"What about him? He misses you quite a bit and asks after you constantly if that's what you're asking." 

I wiped my eyes. "When's his... when's his date?" 

"Well it's coming pretty soon, but..." Brutal looked me in the eye. "I don't any of us want you to be there. Del included." 

I nodded and we sat in silence for a moment, me watching the light wind move through the grass by my feet. 

Brutal finally cleared his throat and stood up. "Well... it was good to see you, and I'm glad you got out of it fairly ok though I'm still sorry it ever happened in the first place. I... we'll miss you." 

I opened my mouth, but there was a lump in my throat that blocked any words I might've said. He reached out and laid a gentle and comforting hand on my shoulder. A small sad smile playing around his lips. 

He was halfway to the driveway before I managed to call out, my throat protesting. "Brutal wait!"

He walked quickly back over, probably to avoid me shouting anymore. "Yes Miss Argonne?" 

"If you're willing to pick me up..." I hesitated. "I'll keep at my work until Del's execution." 

A/N- Sorry this chapter is shorter than normal, but it was important to give context on what happened to her and why she's coming back