I'm here if you need an ear. You can count on me.With that, she left the loft. Loretta wrapped her arms around her knees and gazed out the window at the moonlit yard, remembering another night, a lifetime ago, when Hunter had sat astride his black stallion there, his arm lifted to her in a salute, his fisted hand holding her stolen bloomers. How could it be that a Comanche understood the song her heart sang and her own aunt did not?
In this passage, Loretta reflects on a moment from her past as she gazes out at the moonlit yard. Her memories take her back to a time when Hunter, a Comanche, stood confidently on his horse, symbolizing a connection that transcends her familial relationships. Hunter's understanding of her emotions contrasts sharply with her aunt's inability to comprehend her feelings, highlighting the complexities of connection and understanding between individuals from different backgrounds.
The inner turmoil Loretta experiences emphasizes the theme of unrecognized love and support. Despite her aunt's offer of comfort with the words, "I'm here if you need an ear. You can count on me," Loretta finds herself yearning for a deeper connection. This sentiment underscores the idea that sometimes, the realization of true understanding comes from unexpected sources, such as Hunter, rather than those who are supposed to know us best.
