Silver Creek [m] Ain't nowhere left for the good to go

An unsteady breath hitched loudly in her chest. A single tear tumbled drearily to hang from the tip of her black nose. A sniffle. A sigh. This was all she allowed herself even as she was embraced. She held him against her, trying to exude all the strength she knew she held in her small body. He thought that he had to take care of her — she knew this, of course. Such was the way of men.

But she would take care of him. He would see.

"Good," she told him, finally pulling back to offer a tremulous smile.