Fear at being alone out here churned in my belly when he heaved the drum up and slogged back through the river to its bank. But I didn’t say anything. He’d just worry even more than he already was. “I’ll see you soon.” I whispered the words even though we were still alone. I raised a hand in goodbye when he started dragging his feet away, back toward the RV through the trees, still looking at me over his shoulder. Then he was gone.
