4
" You can say no if you dun’ wanna do it,” he finally says, “but I was thinkin’ maybe you could teach me to read.”
“Shit, Jimmy, I just gave away my reading slate to Bill.”
“I know it,” he says, “but I didn’t wanna read none of that stuff anyhow.”
“Then what did you want to read?”
“I wanna read those poems you said you might write.”
I can’t help but smile so wide my cheeks hurt.
“Okay, Jimmy. I’m going to write you a poem for your birthday, and then I’m going to teach you how to read it. "
― Ryan Winfield , State of Nature (Park Service Trilogy, #3)
10
" I love you.”
The words come out almost in a panic, as if there’s no time. As if he’s about to walk into Eden again, and I’ve got to say it before he disappears behind the door.
“I love you too.”
Jimmy’ response startles me back to the room, the tobacco tin forgotten in my hand. I close it and set it on the counter, afraid of whatever drug it is inside that has me hallucinating.
“I must be losing my mind,” I say, shaking my head. “I thought I just heard you say that you loved me.”
“I did,” Jimmy replies.
“You did?”
“Of course. You said it to me first. It woulda been rude to leave ya hangin’ there, wouldn’t it? "
― Ryan Winfield , State of Nature (Park Service Trilogy, #3)