Here I am again, in front of a wall of reddish blocks, pressing the gears of creativity in search of ideas to put on paper. In fact, it's nerve-racking and tedious to think of a way to get past this wall known as writer's block.

While I'm thinking about something, I'll go back to the story...

** 2005 – Texas **

Saturday, one of the busiest days outside the bar's doors.

The tents in a row led the residents down the main street. Colors and aroma exuded the beauty of the fruits and vegetables on the makeshift tables. As customers circulated through the single aisle admiring the prices and quality, with their heavy bags stocked and carts chasing them from start to finish. It was market day...

And as usual, Clara watched through the dull windows of the merely empty establishment, enough for Mr. Donald to hand her unnecessary tasks.

Over her shoulder, a dry cloth, as she rubbed the transparent surface, contemplating the day outside.

The bell rang again, signaling the arrival of a customer. She soon noticed the young man's worried expression as he entered.

- Good morning Clara, can we talk? – She said right away.

Removing the bucket from the table, she took it to the counter, and he followed.

-Willian, I don't have time now - she replied drying her hand on the cloth on her shoulder.

-Please - she insisted.

-Two hours from now, this place will be crowded with hungry people looking for lunch, I'm sorry... - She replied avoiding his eyes.

Dissatisfied, the boy buried his fingers in his black hair, messing up his hairstyle. Looking up, she noticed the manager behind the half-open door, putting his cell phone to his ear.

- Please, I need to talk to you; I want to help you,” she said, blurting out the words.

- Then you need to stop... - She returned the serious look, but the shaky voice went through the space - You better go.

The few customers present stopped their conversations to listen to them, curious.

-Just five minutes to talk, and to know that you're going to be fine, that you're fine... - She completed raising her voice, but softly-I don't want to leave this town knowing that someone needed me...

Clara pressed her lips together, and looked around, ignoring the curious looks:

- William, there's nothing you can do...

- I'm sure there's something, but if you don't tell me what's going on, I'll walk out that door and maybe I won't have a chance to come back - He looked at her deeply - So I hope you do the right thing...

The desperate boy's hand reached out open toward her. An invitation with no return, which would risk all his “freedom”.

Conflict of thought prevailed over his mind making a decision even more difficult. Maybe he could help her, however, it was just a maybe... Above all, he would need to face Leona after hours; thought of nothing but the truth... What else did he have to lose?

Then she took the boy's hand, a risk worth taking...

He returned the trust by holding on tight.

Mr. Donald who was spying on everything, I push the door hard, running towards Clara, my huge hands open. She wouldn't have time to get out through the proper space, so she jumped over the wooden counter while William helped her escape.

The fabric of Clara's dress slipped through the manager's hands, enough for him to lay his stomach on the counter, then fall, his face enraged, onto the firm wood.

Willian followed in front, while Clara behind holding his hand, and so they left the manager's screams, releasing the door of the establishment.

A few meters away, Jack was walking distractedly towards the bar. The two felt the aggressive gaze run through their entire bodies.

- This way...

William led the girl through the crowd of people in that aisle of stalls and fruit. Jack stretched out his legs in long strides, like a runaway train, pushing, sometimes bumping into people who were in the way.

In a few moments, the two's hands moved away, until the boy stopped with an apprehensive look towards the crowd. Soon he found her by the strands of blond hair, but it was a matter of time before Jack reached them.

Between bags and carts, he pulled her close, thinking of a strategy:

- I know, get down and follow me...

She followed him past a few more rows of tents, until the two of them got under one of the makeshift tables.

Carefully, she followed him over the cables that connected the table legs. She until she heard Jack's voice mingled in the midst of that cloud of conversation:

- Where is this girl?... Clara!!

William made a sign of silence.

Underneath the tarpaulin, he saw Jack's rumpled boots, pacing back and forth, until he followed the flow of the fair, moving away from the two of them.

With the bar clear, William helped Clara out and together they ran away from that busy street.

The wind glided across her face, caressing, and freeing itself through the ends of her dancing hair. The joy of being free again coursed through every limb of her body, and the sensation was unique.

Perhaps it was the same feeling of the birds that accompanied them through the blue sky. They could feel the wind between their feathers, as he held it by beating his wings, across the immense sky, and unveil the limits and beauties that the Father had created in this world.

Yes, Clara was looking at the sky as she ran along with her new friend. Until she lost her balance, her feet collided with one of the fairgrounds, her body flew over, falling to the ground.

The cart owner gave an ignorant look:

- Don't you look where you're going girl?

William went back a few steps, until he found Clara sitting on the asphalt. He grabbed her arm worriedly:

- Are you okay?

She stared at him seriously, like the last minute of winter, beginning the first rays of spring sunlight. And those rays revealed the beginnings of a laugh that turned into laughter. The young man's expression was infected by the girl's smile.

...

I realize that it was the first time that young Clara smiled with gusto and life, after “that night”. I can say that imagining her smiling infected me too... At this moment I felt the strong urge to accompany the two of them in this shrill laugh...

...

After getting up from that accident that caused everyone to laugh out loud, the two turned the corner, crossed the street towards the city park. Strategically speaking, a good place filled with a makeshift hiding place, in case Jack was around.

There was no air in the panting lungs, but smiles drew the lips of the two young fugitives.

William was the first to take a breath:

- I believe we lost him for some time. – and once again he released the weight of his lungs through his mouth.

With air flowing in and out through your nostrils now calmly, you can better contemplate the beautiful landscape of the park in greenish tones.

The trees said goodbye swaying from side to side, along with the sweet sound of the dancing leaves. The smell of wet grass drifted beneath the thick branches to the beat of the silent music that only they could hear.

Along the narrow path between the trees and bushes, his footsteps pressed against the dirt floor. That sweet silence accompanied them until they walked away, reaching the park lake, surrounded by a wall of worn stones.

Their reflections were mirrored in the blue water, where ducks glided over the surface of that blue and crystal mantle, sharing the space between themselves and the new visitors.

William supported himself by sitting on the rocky sea, clasping his hands near his knees. His shoulders relaxed quietly:

- After that, I don't doubt he's going through something terrible.

Distracted, she kept her eyes on the waves that were forming, disfiguring her reflection on the lake.

- I'm leaving tonight, but I can take you...

She crossed her arms, leaving the edge of the lake. Thoughts of her wandered away, avoiding thinking about the next few hours.

William helped her up, next to her he sat down with a little more difficulty.

On the wall, she braced her hands, supporting the torso.

- I can not...

- So tell me what's going on?

The boy's desperate voice touched her heart

- He is your father?

Her eyes met.

- Not exactly...

He smoothed the hair spread across his forehead after the frantic run, and flexed his jaw.

- William, I'm scared...

-Whatever it is, you can tell me - he reinforced taking his hand over hers - Let me help you.

- I do not know where to start...

- Start with you...

...

I know you, dear listener, are curious to know what happened from this moment on...

But we need to get back to that afternoon, the day after the rain, when Clara and Jennifer managed to get out of the farm.

At first, I warn you to prepare your heart...