_‘Two go in and one comes out’_

“Jamie! C’mon!” Baxton, a gap-toothed boy with shaggy blond hair pulled at young Jamie’s arm. “I wanna catch frogs!”

The boys wandered through the trees, their excitement growing in time with the sounds of the rushing river.

_‘The water’s cold and fast, no doubt.’_

They cup their hands, giggling as frogs leapt between the gaps. They pushed at each other and skipped from rock-to-rock.

Until Baxton pushed a little too hard and little Jamie’s feet slid out from under him.

_‘The old man cries and the vultures lie’_

The funeral was held behind the church, the sky dripping water as if to mock them. To give them a taste of Jamie’s last view.

Jamie’s grandfather was his only caretaker. A rough old man that wore flannel and slugged wood over his shoulder.

There was an air of unease as he wept at the mound of dirt. No one knew how to comfort him.

_‘In wait of the river’s deadly call’_