Lighter

The pack was so heavy; the stones pulled the straps down so that they rubbed meanly on her shoulders, but the rocks also dug unmercifully into her back with their uneven hardness. Stubbornly, she clung to the straps even as he reached for her bag. Why, she furiously wondered, would he, or should he, take the heavy sack? He hoisted it with one hand from her sore shoulders, and gently loosened her fingers. As he took the pack, she felt such relief that she almost stumbled although she was now without her heavy burden.

To her surprise, instead of dumping out the stones and returning the bag to her, he swung the bag around with a great effort and began carrying it himself. "Come on," he said,"We'll go together. Always together."

The sun chased the night away as it got lighter.