Seeing Caroline smile was like seeing an eclipse; beautiful, but rare. The eighteen-year-old had known nothing but tragedy through her preteen and teen years. There was no reason to believe her luck would change now, even as an adult. Yet Caroline was one of those annoyingly optimistic people, the kind who’d never say a bad word about anything. When James finally headed to California, she figured he’d be better off. Of course, she’d miss her brother, but he would get a job where he was going, which was near impossible. As for her sister? She could care for Kitty alone. Right? How hard could it possibly be to care for a four-year-old? She sighed, tugging the child by the hand. Maybe if they were lucky, they could find some dandelions or something for dinner. I really didn’t think this out, she thought. James had been fighting with himself for hours now, wondering if he made a mistake. Did California really have jobs for everyone? He really hoped they did. Of course, almost everyone was unemployed. The WPA couldn’t possibly provide that many jobs… Still, he reasoned, he would keep a quarter of the pay for himself (if he got the job) and send the rest to his sisters. He would get a job, though. Everyone wanted the young men to work. He found himself already reminiscing about the fun he had at home with Kitty and Caroline. Poor Caroline would have to handle the house alone, but she could handle it. She said that, anyway. And poor Kitty wouldn’t have anyone to play with. He usually would, but that was off the table now. There wasn’t really anyone else her age… anywhere. No one had wanted kids since seven-ish years ago, and why would you? They were just other mouths to feed now. I really didn’t think this out, he thought. Kitty giggled to herself. Heather (her imaginary friend) was hilarious! It would be nice to have other girls her age around, but the next youngest person within a mile was Beth. Beth was nine though, and thought she was too good to play with anyone younger than her. So for now, Kitty was content with Heather. Heather wouldn’t call her a baby. She grabbed a rock from the stream nearby and decided to play catch with her. She tossed it to her happily. Kitty grunted as she realized the fatal flaw in her plan. It’s hard to play catch if you don’t have arms. Or legs. Or a body in general. I really didn’t think this out, she thought.