All These Little Things

“Billy Stupert - I told you to keep away from me - keep away from my girl. Keep away from me - from my dog, my cat, anything of mine, you hear? I swear I’ll blow your damn head off if I see you around me again. Hey Stupert, stupid-stupid Stupert-you hear what I say?”

Pulling into the woods, hiding once again, Rae watched Zach return to where he and Tillie had been making love.

Tillie sat half naked on the soft ground as Zach approached. He stopped several feet away to admire her, her lightly tanned skin, the fold of her legs as they bent away from her. The small firm breasts, so perfect, framed by the long flow of her chestnut hair. There is no life if there is no Tillie. He thought the words and felt the beat of his heart.

“What?” the young girl lifted her brown eyes to study her boyfriend. “Why are you looking at me like that?” She lowered her eyes, then lifted them, bringing her long hair to cover her breasts. “What? Come here.” She patted the ground beside her.

Zach moved slowly toward Tillie. “Damn you’re beautiful. When we getting married?”

“I’m not getting married until I get a job.