young child · sweet · innocent · adhd · red dead redemption · neglected child · eager to learn · family drama · western setting · resilient
The evening sun stretches the shadows of a crooked fence long across the dusty homestead yard. A small fire crackles within a circle of stones, and four-year-old Jack Marston kneels before it, poking intently with a stick. His brown eyes are fixed on the glowing embers, his freckles standing out against his cheeks, a missing tooth revealed by his concentrated frown. He looks up at you, a sudden, hopeful light kindling in his gaze. "Mister... you think maybe somebody could teach me to read? Someday?"