And it was. The sky was a light blue and cloudless. The breeze from the west was warming but gentle. They sat on a large rock and gazed around. Willa looked interested, Diane Wohl indifferent, and Daryl just scowled off into the distance.
“Where’d you learn to fly?” said Willa, pointing at the little Cessna parked on the grassy strip.
“Vietnam. Nothing like a war to teach you how to fly real good.’Cause you don’t fly real good in a war, the problem ain’t that you don’t arrive on time, it’s that you don’t arrive at all.”
“I’ve been on a plane,” said Willa. “We went to Europe last summer. Me and my family. And I’ve flown to California. Have you been on a plane?” she asked Diane.
She said nervously, “Yeah, I travel a lot for work. But not planes like that one,” she added, pointing at Quarry’s ride. “Big ones.”
“What sort of work do you do?” asked Willa.
“Look, Willa, I’m not exactly in the mood to chitchat, okay?” she said, eying Quarry warily.
“Okay,” the girl said, apparently unperturbed by this. “Can I walk down there?” she asked Quarry, pointing to the grassy strip.
Quarry gave Daryl a look and then nodded at Diane.
“Sure, let’s go.”
They made their way down the short slope, Quarry holding on to Willa’s hand. When they got to level ground he let go and they walked side by side.
“Is that your mountain?” she asked, pointing behind her.
“More of a hill than a mountain, but yeah, I guess it is mine. Or at least it was my granddaddy’s and it got passed down to me.”
“You sure you told my family that I’m okay?”
“Sure I’m sure, why?”
“Diane said she didn’t think you had contacted her mother to let her know she was all okay.”
“Is that right?” Quarry looked back up Diane, who sat on a rock looking as miserable as she no doubt felt.
Willa said quickly, “Don’t be angry at her, we were just talking.” She hesitated. “Did you call her mother?”
Quarry didn’t answer. He just walked on. Willa had to hurry along to keep up with his strides.
“How’s your daughter?”
Quarry stopped walking. “Why all the questions, girl?” he said darkly.
“Why not?”
“That’s just another damn question. Answer mine.”
“I don’t have anything else to do,” Willa said simply. “I’m alone almost all the time. I’ve read all the books you brought. Diane doesn’t say much when we’re together. She just mostly cries and hugs me. I miss my family and this is the first time I’ve seen the sun since I tried to get away. I’m just basically trying to hold everything together. Would you rather I like screamed and ranted and bawled my eyes out? Because I can if you want.”
Quarry started walking again and so did she. “I got two daughters, actually. Lot older than you. All grown up.”
“I meant the daughter who doesn’t read anymore. How is she doing?”
“Not too well.”
“Can I ask some more questions? Or will you get mad?”
Quarry stopped, snagged a rock off the ground, and tossed it about twenty feet. “Sure, it’s okay.”
“Is she really sick?”