forgotten

[mute_pen]

It's past dark, but when you need the outhouse, you need the outhouse.

Isabel picks her way across the yard of her father's house in the moonlight, hoping to sneak back into bed without waking him.

Comments

[growcrooked]

There's one on top of the pile that should do nicely.

[mute_pen]

Excellent. And she's not going to be able to see any letters she puts down, yet, and Nona's standing right there, so it is not yet time to do her processing. "Is he still away?"

[growcrooked]

"I guess he is. He usually goes to the lake first, when he comes home from something."

[mute_pen]

"Maybe Carl is hard to kill."

[growcrooked]

"Maybe!"

[mute_pen]

"But probably not."

[growcrooked]

Nona hugs her.

[mute_pen]

Hugs.

[growcrooked]

Hug hug.

[mute_pen]

"I'm afraid," murmurs Etty. "Of what will happen when he comes back."

[growcrooked]

"It's scary," says Nona, hugging her. "I'm sorry."

[mute_pen]

"Why is he like this, what happened - or has it always been this way?"

[growcrooked]

"I don't remember it that well," she says. "I was - well, about the age I look, when Mother left. A little older when he finally brought her back."

[mute_pen]

"I'm seventeen," volunteers Etty after a silence.

[growcrooked]

"I don't remember how old I am."

[mute_pen]

"Do you know what year you were born?"

[growcrooked]

She shakes her head.

[mute_pen]

"It's 1878 now."

[growcrooked]

Nona shrugs.

[mute_pen]

"Transforming isn't as bad as it could be, and being a swan isn't terrible except that I can't talk - or write," Etty comments idly. "I didn't figure out how to fly today, but I might tomorrow."

[growcrooked]

"I hope you do," she says. "I bet it's fun."

[mute_pen]

"I bet it is too."

[growcrooked]

Nona grins.

[mute_pen]

"I guess you don't turn into any kind of bird."

[growcrooked]

She shakes her head.