With You Always

"Hey," Ellie smiles slightly.

"Hey." Ryan looks at the ground.

"I brought you a sandwhich."

"Thanks."

They stand in silence for a few seconds and Ellie starts to walk away.

"Wait."

Ellie stops and turns around.

"Wanna go to a carnival?"

"How?"

"I know a guy," Ryan says, imitating the 'cool' people on TV.

Ellie giggles and takes his hand.

Was he spontaneous like that a lot?
He wanted to make me smile. Help me forget.
What about him?
He needed to have some fun instead of looking out for me all the time, but he didn't.
Did you blame yourself for that?
Sometimes. Ryan had been through way more than any child should; far more than me.