Chapter XLVI:

The Civil War only lasted for four years. I managed to stay away for the most part. I couldn’t say the same for Maddie. Her brothers and sisters kept coming back to my place. I don’t think I could ever understand why. I wanted to think Luna had a hand in this. I wouldn’t put it past her.

The problems started one evening when it was raining. Once again, one of her siblings found my house. Every day, they kept coming here. This one was a boy about two to three years old. It started with a knock on the door. Again? What was it now? I walked over and opened the door.

There he was. That little round face stared up at me, grinning. I clicked my tongue. Stop it. Just stop smiling at me.

“Hello?” I asked. “What are you doing here?” The kid didn’t say a word. I didn’t like where this was heading. I looked around to see where Maddie was.

“Uh… where is your sister?” I asked. That little brat didn’t answer me. I started to get nervous. It would be long before…

“Phillip!” her voice rang out under the dimming clouds. Oh no… I looked up to see Maddie running towards us. How does she know to come here? We looked up and made eye contact.

Oh shite… Thunder rumbled in the background as if on cue.

“Hey _____,” she said. I cleared my throat.

“Uh… Hi,” I said. Maddie and I stood awkwardly. A drop of rain landed on her cheek. Maddie looked up at the sky.

“Oh…” she said. Suddenly, it began pouring down. She screamed as she covered her head.

“Quick! Get inside!” I yelled. I pulled Maddie and Phillip into the shack. By the time I realized what happened, it was too late. She and the child stood in my house, trembling. Well, we were here.

“Uh… are you okay?” I asked. Maddie trembled as she nodded.

“Just stay right there,” she said. I turned and walked over to the trunk on the other side of the room. Phillip stayed behind her. Maddie reached down and patted him on the head. I came back with towels and a long nightshirt.

“Here,” I said, handing them over. “It’s not much, but still.”

“T-T-Thank you,” Maddie said. She reached forward and took everything. I turned around and waited for them to change clothes. I closed my eyes and waited. This couldn’t be happening. What was I doing? They shouldn’t be here.

“Okay, we’re dressed,” Maddie said. Huh? I opened my eyes and turned around. Maddie stood in my night shirt staring at me. I thought of saying something, but no words came out. She wouldn’t make any eye contact with me. I cleared my throat.

“Are you hungry?” I asked. Her stomach growled as if on cue. She nervously laughed.

“Yeah,” Maddie mumbled. I looked down at little Phillip behind her.

“And you?” I asked. The little black boy still didn’t come out.

“Yes!” Maddie was quick to say. I tried not smile but couldn’t help it.

“I will see what I can do,” I said. I turned and walked over to the ice box. I never really had that much food to begin with. But it couldn’t hurt right.

“You could sit down and get comfortable if you like,” I said. I heard the footsteps walk over to my bed and sit down. In that one brief moment, I forgot about my misery. This actually felt… kind of nice. I managed to find some roasted chicken that I had left over.

“Here,” I said. “I have some of the chicken. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.” Maddie didn’t complain. I sat down on the bed next to her and handed her to the meat. She tore it in half and handed it to Phillip. I watched them as the rain poured outside. Maybe it doesn’t have to be bad.