Cricket is, in Forrest's not inaccurate estimation, more mature and responsible than his own kid brother Jack. They may be best friends, but Forrest tends to trust Cricket to be a good mediating influence on his brother's more harebrained ideas. But Cricket is young and Forrest can't help but think of him as still a kid. That he wants to take in an even younger kid is both admirable, and very likely just a little more than he should be responsible for alone.
Forrest considers all of this with a slow nod, gaze shifting from Cricket, to Hugh, and back. "'Spect you'll still be hungry, if y'shared breakfast." That's an offer, fairly clearly. Serving food is 75% of what they do at the waystation.
He sets the mending back in the basket, getting ready to lead them inside for second breakfast. "Ain't seen nobody yet. Haveta' put ears out, but if they ain't from around here y'can bet they won't go unnoticed." This last bit is really said for Hugh's benefit, to hopefully put his mind at ease a little. Cricket already knows that people in Franklin County distrust strangers on principle, and while that might not really apply to a child, it would sure as hell apply to a few adults scouring the neighborhood for somebody. They could easily encounter more than they bargained for, especially if they come around here. Hugh's assessment is not too far off, but an even more accurate one would paint Forrest as a Mama Bear. He is deeply protective of his family, and Cricket is part of that. Maybe somebody under Cricket's wing is, too.
He gets the screen door for them invitingly, and breakfast is over so there's no longer any guests besides them, but the scents of syrup and bacon and coffee still hang on the air.
no subject
Forrest considers all of this with a slow nod, gaze shifting from Cricket, to Hugh, and back. "'Spect you'll still be hungry, if y'shared breakfast." That's an offer, fairly clearly. Serving food is 75% of what they do at the waystation.
He sets the mending back in the basket, getting ready to lead them inside for second breakfast. "Ain't seen nobody yet. Haveta' put ears out, but if they ain't from around here y'can bet they won't go unnoticed." This last bit is really said for Hugh's benefit, to hopefully put his mind at ease a little. Cricket already knows that people in Franklin County distrust strangers on principle, and while that might not really apply to a child, it would sure as hell apply to a few adults scouring the neighborhood for somebody. They could easily encounter more than they bargained for, especially if they come around here. Hugh's assessment is not too far off, but an even more accurate one would paint Forrest as a Mama Bear. He is deeply protective of his family, and Cricket is part of that. Maybe somebody under Cricket's wing is, too.
He gets the screen door for them invitingly, and breakfast is over so there's no longer any guests besides them, but the scents of syrup and bacon and coffee still hang on the air.