That morning Russ had gone to the Cutter Valley in the west to build a new pen for some horses. All day Will missed him like his own heart had gone and left him empty. Even as he kept busy with every chore he could think of, he pined for Russ, for a mere glimpse, or a quick caress, or just for one soft kiss.
It was afternoon when Will thought of a better occupation than brooding over Russ's absence. He and Quincy would go and pick some apples. Mainly it was to take his mind off that wonderful man who was not there, but he also thought they could get a treat ready for Russ.
"Let's go pick as many apples as we can then we'll make them into apple cider to give to Russ when he comes back. He is sure to be parched on his return," Will told Quincy and took him by the hand.
They carried a basket with them as they walked and climbed rocks. There weren't many flat parts in these hills apart from the stretch of level ground where Russ's house was. Even the trees grew out from between crags in the boulders, often coming out crooked.
Whenever they could, Will and Quincy looked down at the path leading up from the west where they hoped to see Russ as he came back to them. They visited the apple trees strewn here and there over the hillside and picked every ripe apple they discovered. Sometimes Will climbed and other times he put Quincy on his shoulders so he could pick the apples that were out of reach.
So far they only had half a dozen apples, and since they were so small that wasn't very much at all. While Will lamented their paltry harvest, Quincy had spotted an apple at the next tree they came upon.
Stopping under the branch, the boy jumped up reaching, but he was far too small. Will plucked the apple from the branch and gave it to him. The apple was so small it fit neatly in the boy's hand. Quincy was delighted and held onto it as if it were a treasure, but he showed no interest in eating it. That was nothing new.
Will bit into the one he had plucked for himself. It was small so he was done with it fast. He threw the core into the bushes, and got ready to pick another off the tree when he caught sight of Quincy out of the corner of his eye. Will stopped with his arm raised in mid air and dared not move.
And what was Quincy doing? He was taking small bites of his apple, chewing and swallowing. Will held his breath, not wanting to see him stop. Quincy stopped eating on his own anyway and offered the half eaten apple to Will.
Will took it and laughed. He swung the boy up in the air, spun him around and danced with him under the apple tree. Will was so happy and Quincy looked happy too. He smiled and his eyes shone.
"My boy, my good boy! Let's go tell Russ," Will said overcome with excitement.
Quincy pointed up into the tree.
"Oh, that's right. We're here to pick apples. And Russ might not be back anyway," Will said only now remembering. He was so overjoyed, he hardly knew where his head was. "I promised we would greet his return with some fresh apple cider. We best do what we came to do, then we'll tell Russ the good news."
Though Will did not expect to find Russ already home, when they returned he greeted them from the open door to his cottage. Will did not greet him or welcome his safe return. He rushed to him breathless and gave him the good news.
"He ate an apple. Quincy ate an apple!" Will shouted as he held up the basket of small apples. "Not the entire apple, just a few bites. But he ate of it without a doubt. Maybe he'll eat other things now," Will said hopefully.
Russ smiled big and then leaned down to talk to Quincy. "Good work, my boy. Was it good?" he said. He appeared calm but on closer look, Russ had tears in his eyes.
Quincy nodded. "Apple is good," he said delighting them even more by making his voice heard.
"Of course it is." Russ ruffled his hair. "And you have talked to me too. I can't think of a better welcome on my return."
"I didn't have my wits about me to greet you properly," Will said in apology.
"This is better. What sweeter greeting than happy news," Russ said good-naturedly.
"We could say welcome back," Will said and looked at Quincy. He only smiled until Will whispered the words to him again to prompt him to speak.
"Welcome back," Quincy said and Russ lifted him high then stared at Will with a shaky, tearful smile
"This is the best boy in the entire world," Russ said and Quincy suddenly looked shy. It was the first time Will had seen that expression on his little face. There was no end of surprises in that little boy.
At suppertime, they did not make cider but baked the apples along with potatoes so they could offer them to Quincy. Now that he got started, Quincy was ready for more. He tried a few bites of both. That was all, but it was still a joy to Will and Russ too see him eat even those few morsels of food.
Quincy still did not show hunger and ate only as one who partakes of food purely for the taste of it, not for need of sustenance. Nevertheless, Quincy had made a great improvement.
"He's been speaking more and eating," Will said still celebrating as they took care of supper dishes.
"Might we get him to drink a bit too, do you think?" Russ wondered as the two of them were cleaning off the dishes together.
Will thought hard on the matter. "Getting him to drink might be an entirely different thing. Unlike food, water seems to give him a fright. I don't know if we can ever get him to drink."
"I won't give up hope just yet," Russ said and glanced over at Quincy where he played. "That boy has a strong spirit and he has you. He can overcome anything."
"Don't forget he has you as well. You have made all the good things in our lives possible," Will said to Russ. More than giving them a roof to shelter them, Russ had given them a true home and all the warmth that went along with it. There was no one better or kinder and Will had never met a handsomer man in his life. Every moment he was near him, Will didn't know how he kept himself from flying into that man's arms.
Next day at breakfast they were both eager to see Quincy eat again. Russ was still not happy that his biscuits were a bit hard though not as hard as before. "The biscuits could be better, but at least I got some butter in payment for yesterday's work. That will make the biscuits a bit sweeter." Spreading the butter on the biscuit, Russ gave it to Quincy. "Won't you have a bite?"
"Russ made that one just for you. It's warm and fresh. Have a nibble and see if you like it," Will said to encourage him.
Quincy took the biscuit and turned it all around like he was looking for a secret door in it. He then gave it a lick and bit at his bottom lip. He waited then took a small bite. Now both Russ and Will held their breaths while Quincy chewed. When he swallowed and smiled, they laughed from happiness, and both of them kissed the top if his little head.
Quincy only had a few more bites then offered Russ the rest. He would not be refused. "Is good," he said to Russ. When Russ ate it, Quincy smiled at him with approval.
"He likes to see you eat as well," Will said.
Later on Russ told Will, "The lad eats like it's a game and not for sustenance."
"I think he eats because it makes us happy," Will told him. "He is a sweet boy with a good heart."
"Sometimes I think he can't be anyone's child but your very own," Russ said, surprising him.
"Truly?" Will said.
"You are both like sunshine to me," Russ said then looked away.
Will blushed and stood there speechless. That a man like Russ would think that way of him – Will was amazed and so happy.