Camptown Lady      

by sloanranger

Chapter  16

They were sitting at one end of the long trestle table inside. Tom was looking at her funny for a long time before he spoke.

"You know you never talk about your folks."

"We don't get along too well," she answered, stiffening.

"Why not?"

"I don't know, we just don't get along. I get along great with my grandparents.  Just not my parents, that's all."  She would have swallowed live coals before she told him about her mother.

Tom gave a little smirk and turned his head away. Then he turned back around, looking at her.  "What kind of people would let you come all the way out here alone?"

"I don't know. Why? I'm eighteen, I make up my own mind." Kathy's heart was sinking.

Tom didn't say anything for a minute or two.  "Come on, I want to show you something," he said, as he stood.

"I want to get some popcorn for the monkeys," she said.

"Later."

"Okay."

They walked out into the hot Kansas heat all the way to the edge of the camp where one of the railroad cars had a ramp leading up to an open door. Tom started up.

"Come on," he said.

"What is it?" Kathy asked, becoming nervous.

"You'll see."

(To be continued).