Jioni stayed still for a moment, but her legs instinctively went to pacing. Her behavior wasn’t risky. It was survival. How could he not see that? She headed for the window again, but Brandon stopped her from leaving.
“Wait, please.”
“Okay,” Jioni whispered.
Brandon sighed and reached for a top shelf. He held a box with carrots inside, took two out, and extended his arm to Jioni.
“Thanks, but it’s ok.” Jioni backed away and shook her head.
“You said it’s been three days, right? Please take it. I hate carrots anyway,” Brandon said. “And eat it slowly, too, please.”
Jioni took the carrots but looked at them blankly. They were fresh with an earthy smell, still with fronds, green with no decay, no dark spots or blemishes. The freshness of the carrots made Jioni feel guilty. And though she was so ready to reject them, just as she rejected Hippie Girl’s jewelry and Tracey’s payment, her hands became still; her head throbbed from hunger. And her stomach ached. But she refused to cradle any pain she felt.
With the carrots firmly in her grasps, before her meekness and stubbornness killed her off. Jioni lowered her eyes, and said, “Thanks,” with a faint smile. They went into her pocket.
