Checking to see that Kenn was busy, the boy moved back toward Adrian, shaking his head. Crew cut like Kenn's when they'd first come, the leader was glad to see the boy loosening up, dressing in what he wanted.
"No. Do we get new schedules tomorrow?"
Adrian watched closely, despite appearing absorbed in taking the plastic from his light toast with heavy butter. He'd spent a lot of time thinking about their talk in the bowling alley, and had come to the conclusion that Kenn was not gifted, but was in contact with someone who was. This quiet, blue-eyed boy perhaps? Claiming it to protect the child? If so, the lie was acceptable...almost. At least it explained why the Marine had flat out refused to use his "gift" when Adrian had mentioned it a few days after the freeze.
"Mug of coffee, fresh pack of smokes and a cardboard box this big." Adrian showed him with his hands. "Bring those things to my tent around 10:30. We'll do some rounds and you'll get your schedule then."
The boy nodded eagerly, scuffed gym shoelaces dragging the inch of sand covering the Mess floor as he shifted restlessly from foot to foot. "Sure. You need anything else?"
Adrian grinned, still watching closely from under lowered lashes. "Yeah, a ton of food and water. You get an idea, make sure I'm told quickly?" he half joked. His alert eyes saw the boy's serious nod.
"You know it."
"He knows what?"
Charlie jumped, and Adrian waved him on as Kenn returned with two full cups and sat down.
"Kids need to be kept busy. We have to pick the next list of places to look. Bring the maps by after lunch and we'll...."
5
A short time later, stomach pleasantly full of toast, Adrian sat in the lea of his tent - chair, folding table, and notebooks in front of him. The wind had finally calmed down, and he got started making schedules for the next week, glad he wouldn't have to spend the extra hours trying to figure out who didn't have all their shifts in yet. As of midnight, everyone was back at zero.
He worked on them in alphabetical order, trying to fit the person with the chore by their skills, and all the while, he was listening to the voices of his people as they walked by, approving of the long pants and sleeves most of his camp was wearing. Both John and his suggestions had been accepted.
"Those eggs was nasty and it's still the best meal I've had since January."