Firelight Words

The wind subsided and Annabelle moved nearer to the fire. Sparks that drifted By and by up rose like small stars a lost undertaking. Individuals were looking on in a loose group rather than tight and strained. Curious. Others remained so soot-laden in lines of their skin, such as could not be washed out during a single winter. Others were carrying blankets on their shoulders, the type that is sewn out of pieces and love. No one spoke first. They waited.

Annabelle made no ...