Disclaimer: cqofegypt does not own Holes… if she did, Sam and Kate would live happily ever after on the onion grove …

Note: My endnotes are a little script of Gus and shawn from Psych. I recently got into that so I thought I'd add a little in there… dedicated to the fabulous Dul'e Hill!

The next morning I got up early and got ready for the day.

My donkey Mary Lou was tied up to her post on the other side of the lake... all I had to do was take the new shipment of onions from the boat I had named Mary Lou I had picked the evening before, and put them in the cart.

Since today was market day, most everyone would be going to different stores. The students loved market day because Katherine usually let them out of school early. Such was the case hours later when I had been calling folks to buy onions.

I told the townsfolk stories of the Ancient Egyptians and their beliefs that the onions could cure anything from measles to mumps, and even keep away yellow spotted lizards.

"Just ask Mary Lou... all she eats is onions, and she's almost a hundred years old" I said, feeding and onion to my beloved friend and animal. Miss Katherine, bless her angelic heart replied "How would you know, Sam... You're not a day over twenty-five" stroking the blond hair of the little girl in front of her.

As I turned to her, I grinned, holding back the urge to wink at her and tell her I'm actually thirty. I took liberty to tease her a little, tit-for-tat, and saying that onions were 'nature's magic vegetable'.

About a minute after I gave some of the local miners a few bottles of my potent lizard juice, and explaining that lizards don't like it (I've had a few close calls with them myself, though I dare not tell Katie, lest she worry), Trouble Trout Walker and the sheriff arrived with several others.

"Here you are Miss Katherine, a bag of my very special onions" my heart was hammering in my chest, hoping she'd catch the hint. She seemed to, as I noticed her fair skin turn slight pink. I cheered in my head.

"Thank you" she said softly with a polite smile. "And your peaches" she said, handing me what I had been waiting for the past two weeks. "Thank you" I relished in the small grazing of our fingers as she handed me the jar.

Katherine didn't think I'd noticed Mr. Walker trying to nod at her and get her attention. I kept my emotions in check and to myself, but secretly, I hoped he'd fall into a pit of lizards so high, he couldn't get out.

In reality, I knew that against Walker, I had no chance. He was rich, his father owned the town that was soon to pass on to him, and as I winced feeling my heart lurch in pain with the truth of the matter, he was white.

Though I was born free, I'd likely be hung or shot for even the thought of being with Katherine, though I'd been doing just that since the moment I looked into those heavenly pools of blue. That saddened me beyond belief. When would people learn to see past one's color of their skin?

Gus: Dang... homey got game

Shawn: who got what?

Gus: rolls eyes: oh forget it... just keep going

Katherine's POV

As I sat in my kitchen cutting up the last of today's onions from Sam, I couldn't help but stop and think a moment. How is it that every time he comes near me my heart just wants to sing?

Why is it that when I see his smile, or his dark eyes on me, I just want to melt, only to have him scoop me up in his arms... those arms well-toned from rowing across the lake, and other chores that men are specifically responsible for outside.

I shiver at my thoughts, and chastise myself for thinking in that way. Sam truly is a good man... I can see it, in his eyes, in his smile... the way he looks at a person as if to draw them out.

The trouble is, I don't know much about him, besides the fact he is an African-American. How is it that a sweet, gentle, kindhearted soul as Sam can come to a place like this and be almost shunned from all society? Why, there is no man in this town as good as he is! His parents must have taught him well, though I don't know anything about them, either.

"Augh" I hiss, as I have cut myself with my paring knife, the onion juice, though sweet, stinging in the wound. Ignoring the burning sensation and stirring the pot of peaches, wishing that the cinnamon sugar and butter would hurry up and mix, I set my hand on the scalding hot tip of the pan, my palm burning from the heat.

To make matters worse, the hem of my apron caught fire. As I scampered to the sink to wash out the flames, I also set my palm under the cool water. It stung badly, bringing tears to my eyes. Ripping the burned part of my apron, I made a crude bandage, tying the knot rather loosely on my hand.

At this moment I must get back to the peaches before the bottom batch burns. I grunt and groan... especially when my thoughts drift to Trout Walker. I can't stand that fish smelling, womanizing mongrel!

At least if Sam and I... I paused. At least if Sam and I... what? Shaking my head, I did my best to rid my mind of both men, trying to finish this batch. So many peaches to make... so little time.

Shawn: whistle: talk about a series of unfortunate events

Gus: rolls eyes and looks at Shawn as if he's from Pluto: Are you always this sarcastic about females?

Shawn: grin: What's with you? Ooh… I get it… hahaha

Gus: what?

Shawn: you feel sorry for her

Gus: No duh, Sherlock, she burned her hand and caught her apron on fire

Shawn: Mmmhmm

Gus: whatever… keep going