When I went past Mrs. Wilson's desk, she frowned at me.
"Go on back in, Harlie," she told me. "Mr. Best is waiting for you."
I nodded, and opened the door to Mr. Best's office.
I must have been in the bathroom longer than I'd thought, because Adam and Crane
were both sitting there, in chairs across from Mr. Best's desk. I didn't see how they'd
had time to make it here already.
I didn't have to do more than a quick glance at their faces to see that they both
looked pretty fierce.
"Sit here, Harlie," Mr. Best told me, putting me in the unfortunate seat beside his desk,
where I had a clear view of both Adam and Crane.
"Are you feeling better?" Mr. Best asked me.
I wasn't, particularly, but I nodded anyway.
"You're awfully pale," Crane said.
I looked at him again, and decided he looked more worried than mad.
"I'm alright, Crane," I said.
Crane nodded, and then said gravely, "What happened today, Harlie?"
"Didn't Mr. Best already tell you?" I asked.
"Harlie," Adam said, sounding stern.
I sighed. I hadn't meant to sound so surly.
"I lost my temper," I admitted. "But I tried to talk to her. She wouldn't listen."
"Never mind. We'll talk about it at home," Crane said.
After a few more minutes, which consisted of me just sitting there, while the three of them
chatted, and we waited for teachers to gather up my homework for the next two days and bring
it to the office.
I risked a look at Adam once, and he was watching me, his face looking thoughtful and considering.
I had a pretty fair idea of what he was considering, and I squirmed in my chair.
Finally, there was a tap at the door, and Mrs. Wilson opened it, handing Mr. Best a folder of homework.
Mr. Best, in turn handed it to me.
"I hope things start looking better to you, Harlie," he said kindly.
I knew that wasn't likely, considering the amount of trouble I was in, but I answered him
with a nod.
The Jeep was parked out front of the school, and I climbed in, sinking down in the back seat.
"You haven't had lunch yet, have you?" Adam asked, as he was about to get in.
I'd been in the office when lunch came around, so I shook my head.
"No. But that's okay. I'm not hungry."
"Going without eating isn't an option for you. Remember?" he said, sounding angry.
"Kind of hard not to remember that I have diabetes," I muttered, and Adam glared at me.
"Zip the smart mouth," Crane said.
I sighed, slumping down in my seat. I couldn't seem to say anything right at all.
They both got in, and we drove in silence for awhile, back to Murphys, where Adam pulled
into the bank parking lot.
He and Crane got out, and Adam reached into his pocket, pulling out a five dollar bill, and
holding it out to me. "Go over to the diner and get a hamburger or a sandwich," he told me.
"I can wait till I get home to eat," I said.
"Harlie, damn it," Adam said, "Do as you're told."
I stared at him for a minute, and then took the money from his hand.
"Okay," I muttered, and climbed out.
"And no pie, or anything like that," he said, as he walked towards the bank entrance with
Crane. "Get real food."
"I know what I'm supposed to eat," I said, crossly. "I'm not an imbecile."
They both stopped, and turned around to look at me, and I knew I'd pushed the envelope too far.
"Harlie-" Adam began, but Crane put a hand on his shoulder.
"I've got it," he said. "Go on in. I'll meet you inside in a minute."
Adam nodded, looking grim, and walked away. Crane walked slowly back over to
where I stood. Any relief I might have felt at it being Crane approaching me and not Adam,
disappeared when Crane was standing in front of me. I'd never seen him look so mad before.
"I've never heard as many smart ass and hateful comments before as I have from you in the last week," he said.
"Well, it's been an awful week!" I said, in my own defense.
"I know it has been. And that sucks. It's not fair. But that's no excuse for turning into a brat, and
snapping at people every time you open your mouth. Especially people who just want to help you."
I started to say something, but then fell silent, my throat hurting.
"And now you're running your mouth at school, sassing the teachers, and not doing your
homework."
"It was one assignment, Crane!" I protested. "One lousy assignment that I didn't do, and one
bad test grade! And maybe I did sass Miss George, but I tried to talk to her, and she wouldn't listen!"
"Sounds to me like just a bunch of excuses," Crane said.
"Maybe to you it sounds that way," I said curtly.
Crane raised an eyebrow at that comment, and then his jaw tightened.
"Alright, Harlie," he said, sounding grim. "That's it."
"What does that mean?" I asked.
Crane didn't answer right away. He put a hand on my shoulder, and then sort of looked around,
like he was thinking about something.
"Come on," he said, propelling me in front of him, around to the side of the bank building, and then
behind it, where the trash dumpster sits.
When we stopped walking, I would have pulled away, but his hand was too tight on my shoulder.
"Why are we back here?" I asked. Instead of answering that, Crane said,
"I'm disappointed in you, Harlie, I really am."
"I know! I'm a big, giant disappointment to everybody!" I felt like crying.
"That's not what I said. I said I was disappointed in you."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"No. It's not," he said.
He looked down at me, and shook his head slightly.
"I don't think trying to talk to you is doing any good right now."
"Then maybe nobody should try talking to me," I said.
"Maybe not," he said quietly. Then before I realized what was happening, he picked me up off the ground,
one arm around my waist, and started landing smacks on my behind.
I was so stunned that at first I didn't react, but then I did, pretty quickly, because it
hurt! I tried wiggling away, but that was useless, because his hold was too strong.
I hollered, and then I cried. He kept going, even when I started crying.
When he finally stopped, he set me on my feet, but kept his arm around my waist.
"Will talking work now, do you think?" he asked. "Or should I keep on?"
"Talking," I said, thru my tears, and he turned me loose. I looked up at him, feeling
stunned, and hurt, and angry, all at the same time.
"You still have that five from Adam?" he asked.
I managed a nod, my fingers closing around the money in my jeans pocket.
"Alright. Get yourself under control and then go get your sandwich. You can come in the bank when
you're done, or wait in the Jeep for us. Okay?"
"Okay," I said, still crying.
He paused, and said, "You're alright."
I nodded, rubbing at my wet cheeks. "Yeah. But-"
"But, what?"
"You've never done that before."
"No. Well, not since you were real little, anyway. I hope it helps."
He regarded me seriously, and said, "Go on and get your lunch," and went back around to the front of the bank.
I stood there a few minutes, leaning against the bricks of the building. My behind was stinging, and
I cried for a few more minutes, and then went across the street to the diner.
Marie called out a greeting to me as I went into the diner, and I waved at her, heading to the restroom
at the back. I splashed cold water on my face, and patted it dry with a paper towel. Looking in the mirror,
I decided I looked pretty awful. My hair was all frizzy, and coming loose from my braid, and my
eyes were all red.
I went back out, looking for an empty booth. There were several since the lunch crowd had thinned out,
and I chose one near the back, sitting down a little gingerly.
"Hello, honey girl!" Marie said, when she came over to me.
"Hi, Marie."
"What are you doing out of school at this time of day?"
I hesitated. "I got suspended," I admitted.
I guess you'd have to say that Marie is the closest thing I have to a grandma. She's known me
most of my life, and has always been really nice to me, and interested in my life. At Christmas time
last year, she gave both Guthrie and I twenty dollars.
"Well," she said. "It sounds like it's been quite a day then."
"Yeah."
"You need something to eat?" she asked.
"Yeah. Maybe a ham sandwich?"
"How about some catfish? I have some, Noah Brintnall caught it fresh this morning."
"That sounds good."
"Alright. Coming right up."
While I waited, I fiddled with a napkin, folding and refolding it, thinking. I wasn't sure what all
I was feeling. I was a little bit mad at Crane, but yet, not really, and I felt worried about my grades,
and still had all the pent up anger I'd been feeling all week.
Marie brought me my plate, two pieces of golden catfish, some carrots, and a roll.
"It looks good, Marie. Thanks."
"Want some company whilest you eat?" she asked.
"Sure."
"Let me get my coffee," she said. When she came back, carrying a big mug of steaming coffee, she
sat down across from me.
"First off, how is Hannah?" she asked. "That naughty girl hasn't called me in over two weeks."
"She's doing good. It's getting close now for the baby."
"December, right?"
"Yeah. Middle of the month, they think."
"She have everything ready?"
"She has a lot of stuff. I think some ladies from church are having a baby shower for her
soon."
"I'll look forward to that. Does Adam say whether he wants a boy or girl?"
"He says he doesn't care."
"What're you and Guthrie hopin' for?"
"Guthrie says a boy. I really don't care, either. As long as everything goes alright."
Marie patted my hand. "All will be well. Now, what's this about you getting suspended?"
"I had words with Miss George. I lost my temper, and mouthed off."
"Kay George? She the math teacher?"
"Yeah."
"It's not like you to get into trouble at school, young'un."
"I know." I sighed. "I don't feel like myself at all now."
"Well, finding out that you have diabetes can work on a person's mind."
"You know about it?" I asked.
"Brian was in here one morning this week. He told me."
"Oh."
"He seemed pretty shook up about it."
"Brian?" I asked surprised.
"Well, he's tall, and has dark hair, and has a little wife named Clare, so yeah, I'm pretty
sure it was Brian," she teased.
"Did he tell you I've been a big pain to the whole family lately?"
Marie smiled. "No, he didn't mention that. He did say you were taking it hard."
"How else can a person take news like that, but hard?"
I thought for a moment that I'd sounded rude, and I looked at Marie apologetically.
"Sorry, Marie. I didn't mean to sound rude."
"That's okay, honey. You can let off steam with me if you need to. Right now, though, I
want you to clean that plate. I'll just sit here and chatter at you while you eat. You can nod
now and again."
So, while I ate my lunch, Marie chatted with me, getting up a couple of times to go
wait on other customers.
When she sat back down, she sighed. "I'll be glad to get off my feet tonight," she said.
She eyed my near empty plate with approval. "Good girl," she said. "How are you
gettin' home?"
"Adam and Crane are over at the bank. I'm supposed to go over there when I'm done."
"Let's sit here and visit. They'll come find you here when they're ready."
"They're really mad at me," I said, without thinking.
Marie regarded me over the top of her glasses. "I imagine so. They'll get over it."
"I don't know. I've been pretty hateful lately. To everybody. Well, not to Guthrie, but
to everybody else."
"Those boys will forgive you anything, kitten. Hannah, too."
I shrugged, and Marie said, "Why are you treating them all so poorly?"
"I just feel so mad inside. I haven't had a very good filter on my mouth lately. But, Crane-"
I stopped, and Marie looked at me questioningly. "Crane, what?"
I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. "Crane made it plain I need to cool it."
"He gave your backside a good paddling, huh?"
"Yeah."
We sat in silence for a few minutes, Marie sipping her coffee.
"So, you're feelin' put out with Crane now, just because he warmed your fanny?"
"I'm not really mad at him, I just wish everybody would leave me alone sometimes. At least until
I figure things out."
"Well, that's not the way a family works, honey girl. Least ways, not the McFaddens."
"I know."
I saw Adam and Crane crossing the street to the diner.
"Here they come." I started to stand up, but Marie waved me back down.
"Just relax. They can come and have a sit-down since they're coming this way."
I sat back down, and Marie turned to greet Adam and Crane when they walked in.
"Hello, boys!" she said, with a big smile. She stood up, and pulled them both down close
so she could kiss their cheeks.
"Hello, Marie," Adam said.
"Hello, pretty lady," Crane said, and Marie patted his face.
"What kind of pie will you boys have?" she asked.
"We need to be gettin' on home," Adam said.
"Nonsense. You have time for a bite of pie. Cherry, apple, peach? Name your poison."
Adam smiled, looking tired. "Cherry."
Marie turned to Crane. "What about you, tall man?"
"You have any of your blackberry cobbler back there?" Crane asked.
Marie beamed. "I think I might. Let me check."
She bustled away, and Adam sat down beside me, while Crane took the spot Marie had
been occupying. Marie came back over, carrying a cup of coffee in each hand.
"There you go," she said, setting them down. "That'll get you started." She hurried back towards
the kitchen again.
"How was your lunch?" Crane asked me.
"Good. Catfish. And carrots."
"Sounds good."
There was silence then, and Adam absentmindedly moved the salt shaker back and forth across
the table, from hand to hand.
"I guess Noah Brintnall brought some fresh catfish in to Marie," I volunteered, making an attempt at conversation.
"Oh, yeah?" Crane asked.
"Yeah." I risked a look at Adam. He looked tired. And lost in thought. I wondered if
something had gone wrong at the bank. I realized that I hadn't thought about anybody else's
problems in a while.
"I'm sorry about today," I said quietly. "I shouldn't have said the things I did to Miss George."
"Just what exactly did you say, anyway?" Adam asked.
"I was asking her if there was any way I could bring up my grade, and she said that my grade
is because I haven't put out any effort. I told her that wasn't true, and she told me to go to
the office. I told her it wouldn't hurt for her to give kids a break sometimes. And I said she only
cares about algebra."
"Hmmm," Adam said.
"And I told her to go see Frieda at the Hair Hut."
When they both looked at me, puzzled, I said, in explanation, "To get her eyebrows plucked."
Adam choked on his coffee.
"You didn't," he said.
"Well, yeah. I did."
"Harlie Marie."
I couldn't tell what he was thinking. He didn't really sound angry.
I met Crane's eyes across the table, and I felt my face flush hotly.
"I've been a brat lately," I said quietly.
"No argument there," Adam said.
"I'll do better," I said.
Crane smiled at me, his eyes kind.
"Give us all a chance, Harlie," he said. "This is hard for all of us, too, watching you
go thru this."
"It's new to all of us," Adam said.
"Has there ever been anybody in the family with diabetes?" I asked. "Like Daddy's parents?"
"Not that I know of," Adam said. "I don't remember Mom or Dad ever talking about it."
Marie came back, then, bringing the pie and cobbler to Adam and Crane.
"Do you need anything else?" she asked me.
"No. Thanks, Marie."
They all talked, while Crane and Adam ate their dessert, and drank more coffee.
I sat quietly, drinking my water, and thinking. For some reason, Evan was on my mind. I'd been
really mean to him lately, and for no good reason. If he hadn't said something, I might have gone
on feeling bad for a long time, and it could have affected my eyesight, or caused a problem with
my kidneys. He'd made the right decision. The adult decision. And I'd acted like an absolute infant.
"Hey," Adam said, giving me a nudge.
"Huh?"
"I said, let's go."
"Okay." I slid out of the booth after him.
Marie followed us outside, giving us all hugs. I pulled the five dollar bill out of my jeans, and
offered it to her, but she waved her hand.
"The McFaddens eat for free today," she said.
"Naw," Adam said, and I saw him tuck a ten into her apron pocket.
"That's too much," she protested.
"For your famous pie? That's not nearly enough," Adam said.
"Still the charmer," Marie said, patting Adam's face fondly.
She waved us off, and we started for home. I leaned back in the seat a little. I was sort of tired. And
I knew I shouldn't be, but I was kind of relieved that I didn't have to face school tomorrow. I resolved
to do all my homework that was in the folder, and then do extra English work. Maybe I could go for a
ride on Petra, too. It would be nice to get out in the sunshine and fresh air. If I wasn't grounded.
I leaned forward a little.
"If I get all my homework done, will I be able to go for a ride tomorrow sometime?"
Adam looked at me in the rear view mirror. Then he and Crane exchanged a glance.
"What do you think, Crane?" Adam asked.
"Alright with me, if it's alright with you," Crane said.
Adam met my eyes in the mirror again. "I guess so, then."
"Thank you," I said.
"We will be talking some more about you being suspended, though," he said.
I nodded, leaning back again, and trying not to think about that. Instead, I thought
as hard as I could about freedom upon Petra's back.
I could already feel Petra beneath me, soaring across the pastures. I could
already feel the wind in my hair.
7
