~ JESSE ~
Cazz drove us out to that same meadow, then ran around the cab of the truck to lift me out of the cab and carry me to the back and sit me on the truck bed.
The whole truck bobbed as I scooted myself up the mattress to sit with my back to the truck cab, and he hopped into the bed of the truck and pulled out that bag he'd been carrying, along with a picnic basket.
"Are you hungry? You need to eat, Jesse. For the baby, even if you don't feel like it."
I knew he was right, so I took a piece of the jerky he offered, a handful of nuts, and some cherries.
Cazz took off his boots and came to sit next to me, his back to the cab as well, and both of us just looked out at the distant city lights and the silhouetted forest for a while, the black sky above twinkling with stars and… it was so beautiful to just be there.
I felt some of my tension just seep out of me, and I leaned against Cazz's arm while I picked at the cherries.