From Whence Your Help Arrives 17

He awoke to the sound of the women working to prepare breakfast.He was so hungry he felt nausea welling up.Do you think I could have some more of that broth he asked.Not only was he given the salty aromatic broth but a warm hoecake to eat with it .Eat slowly Suzanne cautioned. He introduced himself to the group as Sam Miles . He was an engineer Who had traveled to Missouri to find his family from his home in Tulsa having arrived in St.Louis about a week ago finding that a form of unnofficial martial law reigned.Instead of the united States government however it was a militant mob of fear driven supporters led by various power hungry men from what he could see.He chose to not make his presence known after watching a man being beaten for returning empty handed from a foray to obtain supplies.Instead of working together people were pitting against one another for resourses. Grunt acted as if he had always been part of this arrangement occaisionally walking over to him to have behind her ear scratched or her funny goatee lightly tugged.She liked Sam immediately As did Donny who brought the pups one by one and showed them off. While going to the spring for water Suzanne and Arlis discussed what to do about the young man.Would he add to the welfare of the family as they referred to all included.Arlis liked talking to Sam hearing what was going on elsewhere and also the way Sams mind worked.He commented on what A good location Arlis had chosen and having another man would be an asset If he were the right kind of man.It was too soon to know for sure and whether he stayed or left was not only up to them but Sam as well.He had not indicated that was his wish.At present he was just a stranger in a bad way who had stumbled upon their lives and now they must show the human kindness that was almost a gift to themselves to be able to extend. Francine looked across the room at Sam as he watched her struggle to hold the guitar in her all but nonexistant lap.She was due to deliver any day now and Looked to that day with a mixture of emotion.Having found out that Sam had served as an emt in the service made her interest in him even keener. Not once had he inquired as to whom the babies father was or for that matter any aspect of this clan of the cave bears he had discovered.He seemed content to just be and afforded all the same without hesitation or need to put anyone in a designated slot.Without warning as she thought of Sam Miles her water broke .