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Now, families of town, please don't think this is any cause for your children to miss school. Remember the best thing for them is not to have idle hands or idle minds.

[Miss Mercy Parker was walking up the street from the school house to the boarding house where she lived. The teacher was putting in all her spare pennies (of which there were very few) into buying a house of her very own. So far it wasn't going very well. Each day, on her walk, she'd pause and stare at this house or that, her blue eyes peering below the brim of her hat. She was good at peering at things. For a moment her fingers just flexed in their gloves; it wouldn't be long now. Hopefully]

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[Mercy smiled at him over the horse's neck. It was a bright smile, and a real one.]

Don't get him into any trouble, George, ya hear?

[Her fingers scratched at one of the horse's ears and she spoke just as shyly.]

I'm alright. How about you, Mr. D?

[George whisked his tail after a fly but mostly just enjoyed being scratched, nudging at her with his muzzle when she temporarily stopped.]

I'm uh...

I'm settlin' down some actually. Seein' my brother's family Sunday. I'm gonna be visiting that Japanese fella with the cart sometime today, get a little something for them. [And for her.]

I betcha they'd like that. I hear they've interesting bits over there.

[Mercy scratched the horse gladly, and smiled at him in response.]

I expect the family will be pleased to see ya too.

[His eyes twinkled briefly.] Yeah, I was thinkin'...maybe a pretty brooch or something. Not too showy, but...a little keepsake. Silver maybe?

I'm trying to spend more time now that it's gettin' easier.

Enough about me, I'm borin'. You're the one makin' something of herself.

Silver's pretty, I expect they'd like silver, and brooches can't be done wrong with.

[Mercy smiled at him quickly, and she dropped her gaze a bit.]

I'm just fine, Mr. D. Looking forward to the weekend.

[Meaning when she sees him again.]

[His smile firmed.] Well, all right then.

[He patted the horse with all the affection he couldn't show her. George whisked his tail and let out a contented rumble.]

[His mouth went a little dry at her words, and his eyes got a brief, gentle heat to them.]

Me too, Miss Mercy. Me too.

[Silence dragged out between them.]

Might come with a little surprise or two, actually.

I like surprises.

[Mercy smiled quickly at him, and then lowered her eyes so that her bonnet shielded the smile from everyone else. She was fond of D, and despite the many marriage offers (and other offers as well) this would be the only one she ever took seriously, even if it never happened. She was starting to think that it wouldn't.]

You should go run this brute, Mr. D.

[Her words were very fond and she stroked the horse again.]

[He looked at her, and for a moment his expression was openly wistful. He was something real close to happy around her all the time, drunk or sober. He knew what he really should do, especially if he went and put a baby in her belly. But she deserved a whole man, not one who was still battered by echoes of the war. If he could heal up and become that man again, then maybe...but that would take time. This weekend, he would give her something to remember him and try to explain himself. It was the best he could do by her for now.]

Yes ma'am. I'll go do that now.

[Swallowing dryness from his mouth, he tugged his hatbrim and started leading George on, glancing back once or twice.]

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