Chapter 8

We stopped our soft conversation and walked silently to the tree. He had a light step, which made me admire him even more. Not many city folk do. Mostly they lumber around like everyone thought I should. Me? I’m light on my feet.

We got the blanket situated under the tree. Jeff pointed at the grungy bowl I’d put on the grass nearby.

“What’s it for?” he asked.

“Bait.”

He shook his head. “I don’t see anything in the bowl. Is something going to fall into it from the tree?”

I chuckled softly. “No. We’re putting the bait there until we need it.” I pointed next to him and asked, “How you feel about worms?”

His smile was radiant. “I love worms. When I was a kid, I dressed up as one for Halloween.”

“Yeah?” I thought it was funny and smiled. “Why’d you like them?”

“I don’t know. They’re slimy and wriggly and scared my sister. What’s not to like? Oh, yeah, and they’re dirty too. Everything good as far as I was concerned.”