Imma be the BADDEST

“You don’t-” sniff sniff “smell like you need soap. I reckon just money’ll be alright then.”

But his eyes lit up just as wide as Cheap’s as the elder agreed to his proposition

“We can start now, you reckon!? That’ll be plumb great!” he squealed happily. “C'mon, we gots to go get some purty red yarn! My Pa has some in the arts and crafts room!” and he put a tiny hand in Cheap’s to drag him out of their cabin to the other building.,

‘Blerb’ seemed to be out, but there were plenty of yarn balls in a baslet, litered with long needles of every kind and various baubles.

He and the younger kid surveyed the tent for supplies. It always delighted Cheap to see that the craft room was always well stocked with anything you could need. It was like a dream, and it was no wonder that he’d spent most of his time there.

After a bit of digging Cheap and Face managed to find some lovely scarlet yarn and they sat together. Cheap spoke leisurely as he knitted about how he was doing each step. How he’d start the scarf, the way he’d loop the yarn around the needles, and the combined techniques to give the back and front of the scarf a different pattern and texture.

This went on for some time, as the scarf increased in length. If Cheap dropped a row by accident or made any mistake, he’d go back and unravel the yarn; to Face’s temporary dismay when he didn’t understand why Cheap was taking it apart. But it was quickly settled as Cheap pointed out the scarf looked better than before.

At the end, Cheap gave the scarf the decorative edges he’d had in mind, using a crochet needle.

Finally, they held out the creation.

Other than the occasional question, he simply observed Cheap in his element, taking in the tips and advice and all too soon the scarf was finished and ready.

"I declare! That's the purtiest scarf I ever seen! Mama will LOVE it!!!" he excitedly held the soft scarf in his tiny palms in pure admiration before hugging Cheap tightly.

"Thank you kindly, Cheap!!" he nuzzled into the elder's tummy, voice muffled by Cheap's shirt

“Well that’s right kind of you, Cheap! Lessee how much I has in my pockets…”

And he manages to produce 6 dimes, a quarter, a few candy wrappers, and a handkerchief that’s clearly seen better days.

“Hmm…well that doesn’t really seem like a whole lot. You could get more later, though, and pay me back, right? I really would like to do this for you, don’t get me wrong! But ah…” he pauses to think, having gotten ahead of himself.

He taps at his own chin with his fingers. “Let’s sayyy….I’m very interested in doing business with you. Very much! So if you can give me a little more later, that would do for now. Now ah– not just a little little I mean, a little more than a little we…can go over prices afterwards! How does that sound?”

"I reckon... A scarf sounds nice. A purty red scarf." and then he thought hard over Cheap's words about paying him.

*quietly stares up at him from the side of his bunk until he’s noticed*

WHA–AH-!!!

Oh….J-just you…ahahaha…Hey there, ah…Face!

"Yeah, Imma go back to my Mama soon now that summer is over and I wanted to give her a present. Only I wanted it to be special" he dug his hand into his pockets, rummaging around in them.

‘Oh… There’s a place I know that’s tucked away! A place where you and I can stay. Where we can go to laugh and play, And have adventures every day!

You can just call me Face if you want.