Be Not Far from Me

Ashley’s goal for the day is to walk until she sees “something left behind by another human being” (144). Normally, she detests seeing litter in the woods, but today garbage would be a welcome sight. Her foot continues to heal, and she has some possum meat left to eat. When she stops to lean against a tree for a break, she finds words carved into the bark: “DAVEY BEET WAS HERE” (146). Ashley flashes back to the last time she saw Davey before his disappearance. They were at a gas station, and Davey had recognized her. Ashley was 15 at this point, and she could tell that Davey noticed her filled-out figure. He told her she “did a good job growing up” (148), and Ashley has treasured that validation from her crush ever since.

Now, as Ashley continues through the woods, she feels like she is following Davey. She also thinks about one of her biggest regrets: hurting her dad by pointing out his flaws and the inadequacies of their life, like their trailer home and lack of food. Now, she misses the trailer and her dad, and she wishes she could take back the things she said.

Ashley also thinks about the times she attended church.