Excerpts - Chapter 11, page 97

At the end of the day Rosie went back and waited for Paul on his doorstep. She sat there in the after-light of sunset, looking out over her town. She used to feel so free and happy in her world, but now that was changing.

Paul walked slowly around the back corner of his place, and as he approached he saw Rosie and was saddened by the awareness of her aging spirit. Paul sat down beside her and asked, “What’s wrong with you, Miss Rosie? I found you right here sitting on ‘em steps yesterday with that same look on your face.” Rosie started crying as she looked over at Paul. She spoke in a whimper, “I’m scared. There ain’t nobody else in this whole world like you. I love you.” She went on. “And I’m afraid that those men without a soul are going to hurt you.”

Paul spoke softly to Rosie as he put his weary, dirty arm around her and gently gave her a hug. “Now you listen here, Miss Rosie, ain’t nobody gonna’ hurt me. You got too much else you need to be thinking ‘bout instead of going around worrying ‘bout me.”