Saoirse

She knows where she's going, where they're going, where she's taking him.

He follows on, trying to keep his bearings and his socks dry; soon enough he gives up on both. "How much further?"

She doesn't answer at first. He hurries to catch up to her, splashing and cursing. When he reaches her elbow she says, "Tired?"

"No," he insists. He doesn't want her to think he's changed his mind. "Just wondering."

The stream curves around a hill capped by an old oak; she leads him up by the hand, sits in the shade, takes off her sweater.

"Here?"

"Here."