CHAPTER TEN

As Dill was bedridden for the next few days, it was up to me to run errands generally be active for him. I brought him meals and read with him, even going to visit his editor.

By the end of the week, Dill had taught me how to drive adequately, with him sitting in the passenger seat and grabbing my hand on the clutch every time I made the car stall. I couldn’t honestly say I minded the physical attention, as our kiss was still fresh in my mind. Whenever I thought of Marcus, that horrified expression on his face, I felt a guilty pang. I blamed my sudden attachment to Dill on the excess of time I was spending with him, not on the fact that perhaps deciding who I liked more was a little easier than I had first imagined.

Besides, I thought, how would I ever break the news to Aunty if I decided to marry Dill? She would throw a fit and try to convince Atticus to disown me. Not that he ever would, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she tried.

Writing is not a stable career for raising a family. I found it strange to try and imagine myself starting a family with Dill. I’m sure he would make a fantastic father, just the thought of settling down with someone as ambitious as him...it was like going sailing with a rock climber. Strange. But not entirely wrong, somehow.

And the weirdest thing? It was easier to imagine me marrying Marcus. He was more of a husband type – calm, clever, reliable...I could imagine us settling down and growing old together. And I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not.

“Third.” Dill reminded me sharply and I quickly changed gears. Trust the daydreamer to pull my head from the clouds!

I successfully reached town in one piece, thoroughly glad that Dill had arranged to meet his editor a little closer to home, as Mississippi was an age away, especially for an inexperienced driver.

I helped Dill hobble inside the small cafe and was instructed to find something to do. He was still insisting that I could not read his book until he had finished it, so I could not sit in on the meeting.

I walked out onto the veranda of the café and had to shield my eyes from the midmorning sun. The whole town was awake, going sluggishly about its day-to-day business.

Grocery carts powered by motors buzzed past whilst little old ladies gossiped on the sidewalk. Businessmen and women hurried along to busy themselves with work and the bright little shops by the side of the road were lit up by the sunshine.

I’d lived in Maycomb for as long as I could remember, and probably before that too. It had always been my home and, until now, I had assumed that it would always be my home. I’d thought about exploring foreign lands so many times, but never actually contemplated the terrifying thought of leaving this all behind.

“How is Dill?”

A familiar voice jerked me out of my daydreams. I turned and my heart leapt at what I saw.

Marcus looked awful; his complexion was pale and his dark hair hung limply in his face. His chin was badly bruised and a clumsily bandaged gash ran down his cheek and the side of his neck. He was limping slightly and looked overdrawn and weary.

“He’s...on the mend.” I winced, “Have you seen a doctor?”

“A doctor?” He looked slightly troubled, “No I...I haven’t had time...I’ve got another case to prepare for, I’ve gotta be in court for-”

“Marcus! You must see a doctor!” I exclaimed, hands on hips.

“I’m sorry Jean-Louise, my work is just so important to me...” he smiled, “My work and you.”

I sighed, “That’s very sweet, Marcus, but at the moment it would make it easier if you told me you hated me.”

He raised his eyebrows, “Would it make you happy if I did?”

“Honestly?” I ran a hand through my hair, mouth twitching, “No, not really.”

A light from within him lit up his face; I think it was hope.

“Then I still have a chance.” He kissed me lightly on the cheek. I blinked: he’d taken me completely by surprise. I blushed. He grinned.

“If you would excuse me, Jean Louise, I have a meetin’ to attend to. And then I have a doctor to see.”

He continued down the road, and I couldn’t help but notice that there was a spring in his step where he’d been slumping before. I felt strangely warm inside.