You’re running on empty.”
I know. I’ll try. It’s just the last
of the shit in my system making
me queasy. He does force down
a few bites while I polish off
the butter-slathered biscuit Jeanine
returns with. “A good night’s sleep
in a big ol’ bed will make you
feel better,” I predict. “Tomorrow
is Christmas. Our first one together.”
The thought seems to brighten
his mood. Our first, but definitely
not our last. And look … He points
toward the window. It’s going to
be a white Christmas. My first
one of those, too. Outside, wisps
of snow have begun to fall. “Maybe
we’d better get going. It would
be good to get there before dark.”
THE LIGHT IS DUSKISH
By the time we’re on the road. It’s not
all that late in the day yet, but the peaks
to the west are tall, and as the sun dips
below them, its failing light is swallowed
up by hastening snowfall. Glad Mammoth
isn’t too far. The food Kyle managed
to get down seems to have helped
his system recover some. His color
is better, his energy level higher.
Hurray for meat loaf and biscuits!