Cricket isn't sure if that gasp is a pleasant surprise or horror, but he remains where he is on the ground, waiting for the flames to catch and heat up. Hugh looks so lost right now, wrong-footed and confused and even before he says he's an orphan Cricket's prepared to do anything he can to help, susceptible to knee-jerk responses of raw compassion.
Then, the whole orphan thing--well. He leans forward a little, resting his hands on his knees. "Lost my mama when I was about six. Never knew my pa. I hear you, Hugh. I know it's hard."
Cricket knows nothing about Peculiar children, but an orphanage is no joke in Depression-era Appalachia. You will be put to work, and be expected to thank God and mortal man for every scrap of food put in front of you. Ordinary children get sold, too. Cricket escaped that fate, thanks to his Aunt Winnie, but he knows. The world is a pretty rough place.
"You don't have to," he promises. "You ain't gotta go anywhere you don't want, and especially not right now. I will find somethin' better for you."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2019-04-21 04:19 pm (UTC)Then, the whole orphan thing--well. He leans forward a little, resting his hands on his knees. "Lost my mama when I was about six. Never knew my pa. I hear you, Hugh. I know it's hard."
Cricket knows nothing about Peculiar children, but an orphanage is no joke in Depression-era Appalachia. You will be put to work, and be expected to thank God and mortal man for every scrap of food put in front of you. Ordinary children get sold, too. Cricket escaped that fate, thanks to his Aunt Winnie, but he knows. The world is a pretty rough place.
"You don't have to," he promises. "You ain't gotta go anywhere you don't want, and especially not right now. I will find somethin' better for you."