The Unknown
by Patricia Henry
Chapter Sixteen
�What do you think you�re doing? You want to open that wound again?�
Jess slammed the ax into the wood. �It�s been a few days. I feel better and you need wood cut. It�s the least I can do to pay you back for all you�ve done.�
�You�re going to get yourself sick again.�
�Well...� He was starting to feel dizzy. �Maybe I�ll rest for a few minutes.� He started for the porch but he swayed.
She rushed to him and put his arm around her shoulders. It was the first time they had physically touched since that night. A shiver went down her spine. �Here. Let me help you. Now I don�t want you doing anything foolish like this again. You hear me?�
�Yes ma�am,� he replied as he sat down in the rocker. He rocked twice before he felt sick.
�I�ll get you some water. You stay right here.� Then she was gone into the house.
�Jess,� Ronnie came from around the barn to the porch. �Look what I found back behind the barn.� He handed Jess a can of worms.
�Now these are the kind that I like to fish with. Big and squirmy.� Jess was getting used to remembering little things. He was still somewhat startled when he did remember. But nothing like he had been when the memories had first startled. He could remember fishing with another child. An older child. He couldn�t quite make out the face or remember the name.
�You want to go with me? My Pa use to. We could catch some fish for supper. Be better than beans.�
That sounded so familiar. Had he been on hard times and that�s why he had robbed the stage. �I reckon that sounds like a good way to spend the day. How far...�
�Oh the pond is just over the rise. Not far at all.�
�You hold it right there!� She pushed the porch door open. �Jess is going no where.� She handed him the water.
He gulped it down. �Taste good. Thanks ma�am...I mean Gwen.�
�But Ma, don�t you want some fish to eat? Them beans are getting awful hard to stomach.�
�Jess couldn�t walk that far...�
�We got the buckboard.�
Jess glanced at her. He too was tired of beans. She must be awful low on supplies. Every meal had been beans.
�Please Ma!�
She looked at Jess. �Would you like to do some fishing?�
Jess smiled. �I think some fried fish would make a fine supper. Don�t you?�
It was the first time he had seen her smile. Her face lit with joy. She had dimples. �You stay right here. Ronnie, you come help me with the buckboard. And we�ll get the fishing poles and-�
�You going to fish too?� Jess asked.
�I�ll have you know that I�m one of the best fishermen around these parts.�
�She taught me,� Ronnie added.
�Well I take that as a challenge,� Jess said.
Her smile widened. �You�re on. Loser cooks the meal.�
�You sound just like-� He stopped. Like who? It was on the tip of his tongue. Who?!?
She patted his arm. �It�ll come back. Don�t you fret.�
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