No option seemed comfortable, and he looked down at his hand again, feeling Cassie wrap hers around it. He looked back at his house, and then at the new, proposed destination. “Might be more comfortable sitting in the shade instead of standing in the sun,” She looked up at Shifty and found him apprehensive about the move. “How about we sit under that tree?” Cassie pointed to the tall, old oak tree that stood not more than ten feet from them. Outside of his family, this was the first interaction he’d had, and he believed he was being a bit of a bad host. They fell into another fit of quietness and Shifty started to wonder if she’d become bored and leave. How long had it been since he’d been touched with such care and gentleness? But Shifty remained with his downward gaze. Before long, maybe upon realizing her action, she pulled away. He looked down and admired the way that despite she being the one holding his hand, how her hand dwarfed in comparison to his. She reached for his hand and took it steadily. They kept me in army hospitals in England before letting me come home.” He turned his gaze to Cassie, now finding her to be the one who looked like she was in pain. “I was on my way home, and my transport got into a wreck and flipped. I mean it with the utmost respect, I just… why’d it take so long for you to get home?” “Yes, ma’am?” He turned at looked at her. Only two months ago? Guys from Japan were home before that. She used the quiet time to think about Shifty’s return timeline. It couldn’t have been more than ten minutes of silence until Cassie spoke again. But then again, Shifty Powers didn’t have an impolite bone in his body. Maybe she should consider herself lucky that he wasn’t asking her to leave. If Shifty wanted to stand in silence, she could do that. She clasped her hands in front of her waist and remained quiet. “I won’t tell anyone you’re back,”Ĭassie grinned. He was still staring straight ahead his expression showing mild pain and worry. “I suppose you have that right to want a little privacy.” She paused and flicked her eyes at him. So Cassie made a decision, took a couple steps to stand even with Shifty and look out at the town just like he was. For years, he probably wanted nothing more than to be back home, and now that he was, there was a guilt and a fear in leaving. And there was something about that admission that made her hurt for him. He couldn’t have been more than twenty yards from the front door. “I didn’t want a bunch of people coming over so I’ve just been holed up.” He paused again, then looked back up at Cassie, “this is the farthest from home I’ve been since I got back.”Ĭassie looked up the driveway. The only real change was that he pulled his hands out of his pockets. “No one really knows I’m back,” he paused and looked down at his feet again. Word should’ve spread about his return by now. But two months? This was a small Virginia town of a couple thousand. She’d expected a couple weeks at the most. How could he possible notice one timid freshman? “Well, I’m glad you’re home. He was star of the basketball team at any given time had a crowd around him. “You were a freshman when I was a senior,”Ĭassie smiled. “I remember you,” Shifty caught her eye kindly. Shifty darted his eyes to her, but he didn’t make much of a reaction other than another quick smile. To her knowledge, not many, if anyone, had seen or even knew Shifty was home. If he had been home awhile, news had gotten around their small town yet. She looked up at him and offered a more friendly smile. Cassie came up open him and made a quick mental note of where he was standing. Upon noticing her, he offered a brief, fleeting smile, and turned back straight. He didn’t appear to show any emotion, more of like an instinct to see who was coming. Class could do without her for a day.Īs she was coming up the sidewalk from her car, she was surprised to see Shifty turn his body slightly to look at her. Even though she had a class to get to, Cassie pulled over to the curb and put her car in park. She immediately recognized it as a figure she hadn’t seen in a long, long time. A still figure caught on the side of the street caught her eye. It was at this time that Cassie was in her car, driving down the street. They’d just pressed that he get some fresh air. Just behind him, the humbleness of his parents’ home. It was pretty warm outside, and surely nice enough for a walk at least. He stared at it and shoved his hands into his pant pockets. They were firmly on the dirt path, pointing towards the cement sidewalk just a couple inches ahead. No request (they’re still closed), I’ve just always had this story in my head for Shifty, and referenced it in some of my other fics, and decided to get it out because I love posted by ayzula
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