Guthrie and Evan and I were besieged the next morning with instructions, and orders, and

cautionary admonishments. Between Brian and Adam and Hannah, I was relieved to

leave for school.

"Whew!" I sighed.

"Yeah," Guthrie agreed, knowing exactly what I meant.

"They act like we really are babies," I complained.

"Yeah."

I rubbed my head.

"You okay?" Guthrie asked me.

"Just a headache. I'll be okay."

"Well, get ready, cause we'll have to hear more from Crane in the mornin' before he

leaves."

"Gahhhh," I groaned.

"What are you doin' this weekend?" Guthrie asked me.

"With the list of chores Adam left? You're kidding, right?"

"That won't take all weekend."

"I've got to go to the office in the morning to check on the doxie and her puppies. I promised Doc G

that I would."

"Well, after that? Kristin and I are goin' to the movies. You could come." Guthrie looked at

me hopefully. "Maybe with Tony?"

I sighed. "Guthrie, why are you always trying to push Tony on me?"

"I'm not tryin' to push him on you. I just thought you might want to go, that's all. Don't

get your bloomers in a bunch."

"My bloomers are just fine, thank you very much," I responded.

Guthrie shrugged and popped a piece of gum in his mouth.

"I'll think about it," I conceded, giving him a light punch in the arm.

7

After school I had Guthrie take me by the vet office, where I fed and gave fresh water to

Sophia. Four of the puppies seemed fine, though the littliest one still worried me.

"Aren't they cute?" I asked Guthrie, as I knelt beside Sophia on the floor.

Guthrie agreed that they were indeed, very cute, but nagged at me to hurry up, so

we could get home.

I checked the answering machine, and wrote down the messages, in case Doc G called

to check in over the weekend. There was one from Sophia's owners, saying that they wouldn't

be home until Monday. Tucking the paper into my pocket, I shooed Guthrie out, and locked up.

Since Crane was still home that night, he made a big pot of spaghetti, which he, and Evan and

Guthrie and I were in the middle of eating when Ford got home, and came in, hollering to everyone.

"Kitchen!" Evan yelled back, and Ford appeared at the doorway.

"Hey," he said in a general greeting to all of us.

We all said hello back, and Ford's face lit up. "Spaghetti," he said happily, and went to

get a plate out of the cabinet.

After supper I washed the dishes while Crane dried them.

When he asked me what I was going to do the next day, I told him about going into the

office to check on Sophia and her pups.

He nodded, and then said, "Don't forget about your tutoring. Mrs. Stevens will be here at two, right?"

"Uh huh."

"How's your grade?" he asked.

"A C, I think."

"Report cards come out, when? Two weeks?"

"Before Christmas break."

"You feeling okay about it? Mrs. Stevens, I mean. You like her?"

"Yeah. I do."

"Okay. Good."

Evan came to the kitchen doorway. "Crane, phone," he said.

Crane laid down the dishtowel and went to answer the phone.

Evan started pouring himself a glass of milk, and then put the milk back in the refrigerator.

I turned to lean against the kitchen counter. "I have some money. I'll spring for pizza tomorrow

night."

Evan nodded. "Sounds like a good plan."

"Aren't you going out with Nancy?"

"Naw, I'll stick around home probably. Hang out with Ford." He took a drink of his milk. "And you," he added.

"Gee, thanks. Nice to be an afterthought," I told him.

"Oh, I didn't mean it that way," he said, with a roll of his eyes.

Rain was hammering the roof as I went to sleep that night, and once, in the night, when I got up,

I went to pull the curtains back in Adam and Hannah's bedroom, and could see the lightning across the

sky.

The sun was out the next morning, though, when Crane left early. Lila came by to pick him up. She was dressed in a navy blue

skirt, and a red blouse. I didn't really know her all that well, but she seemed nice. Sort of quiet.

After she'd said hello to all of us, Crane put his bag into the back seat of her car, and Lila handed

him the keys, and got in on the passenger side.

"She's lettin' you drive her car, huh?" Evan teased him. "Must be serious."

"Yeah, yeah," Crane said. He turned to face the four of us.

"You two listen to what Evan says, alright?" he told Guthrie and I.

"Man, the impossible things you ask of a person," Guthrie joked.

"I left the number of Lila's parent's on the desk," Crane said. "Call if you need me for anything. I'll

be able to get home quicker than Adam and Brian."

"Yeah, just go already, will ya?" Evan said, and Guthrie gave him a push towards Lila's

car.

"Don't forget your shot tonight," he told me, settling into the driver's seat.

"No. I won't," I promised.

"If you go somewhere tonight, I'd rather you go with Guthrie," Crane said.

"Oh, Crane," I protested.

"Don't 'oh, Crane' me, alright?"

"I'm staying home tonight," I told him. "Don't worry."

When Crane had finally driven down the long driveway and was out of sight, I breathed a

deep sigh, echoed by Guthrie.

"Can I drive your truck into town so I can check on the dogs?" I asked Evan.

"Yeah," he agreed. He reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a twenty dollar

bill. "Stop and get some Coke and some more milk, alright?"

"Okay," I said, and held out my hands for him to pass me the keys.

"Don't be gone too long," Evan called after me. "We've got a lot of chores to do."

I climbed into the truck, and waved at the three of them out the window.

I enjoyed my freedom as I drove into town, with the windows down, and the

radio blaring. Everything smelled so fresh and clean after the rain.

I went to the office, and did the few things that needed doing, and then locked up again,

after assuring Sophia that I would be back the next morning.

At the store, I saw Lori and some other girls from school, and stood talking to them

for awhile. The conversation mainly centered on a party that night at Hell's Bend.

"You should come, Harlie," Chelsea told me, and some of the others nodded

in agreement.

"Yeah. It should be a fun time," Carrie Stoughton added.

When the girls had gone on, I was left standing there with Lori.

"You going to go?" she asked me.

"No, I don't think I'd better," I told her.

"My dad's out of town, so it'd be easier, but I'd probably won't either. How about you?"

"Yeah, I've got an empty house, too. Well, not empty," I said, thinking of Evan and

Ford. "But emptier, anyway."

Lori's mom motioned at her from the front of the store, so she said,

"Call me later. I think I can borrow my mom's car tonight. Especially if she

knows I'm going to the movies with you."

I'd bought the Coke and the two gallons of milk, and I was shoving them into the truck seat, when I heard my name from behind.

"Hey there, Harlie."

I turned quickly. "Hi, Eddie," I said.

Eddie leaned against the side of Evan's truck, giving me a smile.

"What have you been up to?" he asked me.

We talked for a while, and he invited me into Butch's Place for a Coke.

I was having such a good time with him, that when I looked at the big clock hanging over the pool table

I was shocked to see that it was eleven-thirty. I'd been gone from the house for nearly three

hours. I was sure the boys were wondering where I was at.

When I told Eddie that I needed to be going, he walked outside with me, where the sun

had faded, and rain clouds were gathering again in the sky.

"Think you can give me a ride to my cousin's house?" Eddie asked.

I hesitated, not sure how to explain that I was already late getting home.

"Where does he live?" I asked, and Eddie mentioned a road about ten miles out of town, one that

I was unfamiliar with.

"There's a back way to your house from there. I'll show it to you," he told me.

I didn't want Eddie to think I was a baby, or that I had to hurry home. He was nice, and I liked him a lot.

"Sure. No problem," I said, and we started out, the jugs of milk sliding in the seat between us.

Finally, Eddie moved them to the floor at his feet. He grinned at me.

"That's better," he said.

We made casual talk as we drove along, with Eddie giving me instructions on where to turn.

When we reached the cousin's house, Eddie got out and then came around to my side.

"Thanks, Harlie," he said, giving me another one of those devastating smiles. I swear, he had

the whitest, straightest teeth of anybody I'd ever met.

"It's okay."

Eddie pointed in the opposite direction. "If you follow that road about six miles, you'll end up

at the highway, and then you can follow it to your house."

"Okay."

He stood there, just looking at me, and so intently that I was a little embarrassed.

"So, Harlie, if I ask you to dinner and a movie, are you going to turn me down?"

"No," I managed, mesmerized by his blue eyes. "I won't."

"Okay. I can't tonight, but I'll call you soon, alright?"

I nodded. "Alright."

And then, swiftly, Eddie leaned into the open window, and kissed me lightly.

"Bye, Harlie," he said, and gave me a jaunty wave, walking towards the house.

I was feeling darn good as I drove, light, and happy. Eddie had kissed me!

There were a lot of hills on this road, and as I came down a particularly steep one,

I saw there was a low water crossing. The creek there was out of its banks, and flowing

across the road. Sugar Creek. Though a part of it that I'd never seen.

I braked to a stop, looking at it consideringly. I was surprised, but there

had been a lot of rain lately. An abnormal amount for our area.

I got out, walking to the edge and surveying it. The water was moving along at

a good clip. I looked back toward where I'd come. Eddie had said six miles this way and I'd meet

the highway. If I turned around and went back the ten miles to town, and then home, I'd be

even later getting there. If I missed my tutoring session with Mrs. Stevens, Crane would not be happy.

Neither, for that matter, would Adam.

I went back to the truck and got in again. I sat there a couple more minutes, thinking.

I made up my mind on what to do, and put the truck in gear. I should have no problem, I was

sure. It was just a little water.

I creeped slowly to the edge of where the water began. Then, taking a deep breath, I drove

into it. I kept my speed slow, but I was barely into the water when I was shocked by

the strength of the current. I felt panic immediately rise up, and my heart started pounding

in fright. It seemed that the entire truck was floating, and I couldn't feel the tires on the

road anymore. I didn't know where the truck ended and the water began.

I started yelling. "Noooo! No, no no!"

I pressed the accelerator to the floorboard, thinking maybe that would help, and that

I could still come out of this alright. I would get thru the water, and get home just fine, and

Evan or anyone else, would never have to know.

I was still thinking that, even talking aloud to myself. "It's gonna be fine. I can do this."

Then the truck did a spin sideways in the water, swept by the current, and set upon the

low-hanging branches of a tree. Caught for the moment, I screamed in fear. I didn't know

how long the branches could hold the weight of the truck still, before it was swept on down

the creek, with me in it. I took a split second to make my next decision. I eyed the water out my open

window. It looked like it was halfway up the height of the truck.

"Bat shit!" I swore vehemently, "Damn, damn, damn!"

I knew I had no choice but to make an escape from the truck. I tried opening the door, which of

course didn't work, since the force of the water was so fierce I couldn't even budge the door.

I took off my boots quickly, and, mourning the loss of those boots already, I went thru the window.

Now, I'm a fairly decent swimmer, and it looked to be a short distance to where the water ended. Or began.

Whichever way you wanted to look at it.

But, strong swimmer or not, I had to struggle to swim, to keep my head above the swirling, dark

water. It was deeper than it looked.

I was pulled under, and came up with a mouthful of dirty water. I put everything I had into

reaching the safety of dry land.

When I made it, I dropped to my knees, saying a fervent prayer of thanks. I scooted up further,

sitting there a few minutes, crying hysterically. The truck was still in the relatively same spot, it looked

like, though it was bobbing and rocking.

I tried to figure out what to do. I had to get help, and quickly, before the truck floated on down

Sugar Creek. I was back on the side of the road leading to the house where I'd dropped Eddie

off. I gave one final look back at the truck as I started up the hill.

Two German Shepherds came running up to me as I approached the house. One of them growled low

in his throat, and I knew I might get bitten, but at that particular moment I couldn't bring myself to care.

I knocked on the door, or pounded really, and a guy who looked vaguely familiar opened it.

"I need-to talk to Eddie," I managed, out of breath.

Eddie was there almost instantly, opening the door wider.

"Harlie," he said, "what the heck? Are you okay?"

"Nooo," I said. I pointed down the hill. "I need help! Evan's truck-" I leaned over, coughing,

and I was ushered into the house, where an older woman who I also thought I recognized,

took over, wrapping a blanket around me. She was, I found out later, Eddie's aunt Lucy, the

mother of his cousin, Mike. I knew I must be a sight, dripping wet, and muddy, my curls wet and

springing out of my braid.

"I have to call home," I said, crying, and explaining to them that Evan's truck was in the water.

"Sure thing," Mike said, and gestured to the phone. "It's right there."

I walked to the phone, and dialed the number, and then when it started ringing, I lost what

little nerve I had, and thrust the receiver at Eddie.

"I-I can't," I said.

Someone had answered, because Eddie started talking.

"Hey, this is Eddie Marmon. Is this Evan?"

He listened, and then said, "Hey, Ford. Harlie's here with me. I'm at Mike's. She

had some trouble driving thru the creek-"

He stopped talking to listen, then continued, "Yeah, she's okay, I think. Wet. And scared. Mike

and I'll hike on down there to take a look. We might be able to pull it out of there for ya'all."

More listening on Eddie's end, while I watched with my heart in my throat, twisting the blanket

between my fingers.

"Okay. We'll see you there," Eddie said, and hung up the phone.

"What did Ford say?" I asked immediately, my words coming so fast that they ran into

each other.

"He's worried about you," Eddie said, and turned to Mike. "Can you fire up the tractor, and we'll see

if we can pull it out."

"Sure," Mike said, and headed out the back door.

"Evan and Ford are heading over," Eddie told me. "Why don't you stay here and dry off?"

"Yes, of course she will," Mike's mother spoke up. "Would you like a cup of hot tea, dear? I find

that a cup of tea always helps."

I was struck with a vision of Hannah's smiling face, enjoying her hot tea, and I found it hard

to breathe for a minute. Sweet, understanding Hannah. I wished she was at home right now,

waiting to comfort me, and protect me from angry brothers.

"No," I said. "Thank you." I took the blanket from my shoulders and laid it on the couch. "I'll go

with you," I told Eddie.

"Well, let me loan you some shoes," Aunt Lucy said, and was back in a moment with a pair of

slip on shoes. "These are my tomato picking shoes," she added, with a smile that I didn't feel up to returning.

We hiked down the road, and down the road, moving out of the way as Mike went around us

on the tractor.

"I don't think you'll be able to pull it out," I said worriedly.

"The old John Deere has a lot of power. We'll give it a good try."

I felt so awkward walking beside Eddie. He must think I was really stupid.

"Thank you," I said. "For your help. You and Mike." My voice broke off.

"Hey," Eddie said, looking at me kindly. "It's going to be okay."

I shook my head in discouragement. "I don't think things will ever be okay again. Evan's

going to kill me. He's probably going to disown me."

" Aw, Evan's a pretty good guy," Eddie said.

"I know he is. But-his truck-"

Eddie reached down and took my hand. I was grateful to him for the comforting gesture,

but too upset to fully appreciate the fact that he was holding my hand.

When we reached the overflowing creek, Mike was already off of the tractor, and standing at

the edge, contemplating things. The truck was further down the creek a bit, still caught by the

bank, and branches. I was relieved at first to see it. I had half expected it to be completely

swept away. Maybe, just maybe, things would be alright. Maybe Mike and Eddie would be able

to pull it out, and we could get it home, and it would be none the worse, and Evan wouldn't

hate me.

I watched as Eddie and Mike had a low conversation at the edge of the water. They took a heavy

looking chain from the tractor, and waded out into the water. Soon they were shoulder deep in

water, and I went to the edge, watching, one hand pressed to my mouth.

They were both a ways from the truck, when they stopped, and I wondered what they were

doing, pulling and tugging on the chain. The rain clouds from earlier had grown and multiplied, and

it began to rain. I stood there, already wet and getting wetter, watching, and hoping.

I don't know how much time passed. I felt chilled, and sick, and I wondered how long it would

be before Evan and Ford came. I wished mightily for Guthrie, and his unflappable reassurance. Let's see, five miles to Murphys from our

house, and then ten miles out this way. How long would that take them? They would probably drive

really fast. They'd come this way, wouldn't they? What if they came the shortcut and ended up on

the other side of the creek from where I stood? They'd be closer to the truck. Maybe they could

pull the truck out from that side, and go on home without me. Maybe they'd wave at me as they

drove away. One less McFadden. I turned as I heard the roaring of a vehicle coming up behind me.

At the foot of the hill as I was, it looked like the truck was moving really fast, zooming down.

I felt suddenly sick at my stomach, and dizzy. I stepped to the side. When I saw that it was

Guthrie's truck, and saw his lanky long legs step out, I was filled with a sense of relief.

"Guthrie!" I said, and ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck.

"What happened?" Guthrie asked.

"I thought I could manage it-I didn't think it was that deep-" I babbled.

Then Ford was beside me, pulling me from Guthrie.

"Are you hurt?" he demanded, holding me with both hands and looking me over.

I shook my head, clutching at his arms.

"You sure?" Ford persisted.

"Yes."

Evan was staring at his truck, looking shocked.

"I'm sorry, Evan-" I began.

"What in the hell were you thinkin'?" he hollered, so loudly that I stepped backwards and clutched onto Guthrie again.

"I thought I could do it-" I began.

"What were you doin' over here anyway?!"

"Later, Ev," Ford told him, laying a hand on his arm.

Evan gave me a horrible, angry glare. Then he stomped off to meet up with Ernie and Mike,

who were both trailing back thru the water, carrying the chain. Ford gave me another pat and

went off to join them, where the four of them had a huddled conversation, of which I could only

hear a few words. Then Ford came back over.

"Guthrie, do you have a chain in the toolbox?" he asked.

"Yeah," Guthrie said, turning to go get it. Since I didn't want to turn loose of him, I went, too. He popped open the tool box

in the back of his truck and pulled out a long chain, similar to the one Mike and Eddie were holding. When we were all

standing by the edge of the creek, I surmised from the conversation that they needed to hook the two chains together to

make enough length.

Mike backed up the tractor to the edge of the water, and waited. Evan and Eddie and Ford waded in,

and made their way to the truck. Guthrie moved to start pulling off his boots.

"What are you going?!" I asked him, in a panic.

"I'm gonna go help."

"No!" I protested, holding tight to his arm. "Stay here! Don't leave me, Guthrie, please!"

Guthrie gave me a look, and patted me. "You're okay. Just stay here and-"

"Nooo," I said, knowing I sounded whiny, but not caring.

"Har," Guthrie said firmly, dislodging me from his side. "You're alright. I'll be right back."

I watched as he waded in and joined the others.

I could hear their voices, but over the rush of the water I couldn't make out the words.

Eddie hooked one end of the chain to the back of the tractor and then went back into the water, and I watched as Evan

dove under the water near the front of the truck, then came back up sputtering. I watched as Ford and Eddie went behind the

truck, and started to push it toward the bank. Or attempt to do that. It didn't seem to me that they made much progress in moving

it. Apparently, I was wrong, though, because the truck seemed to break loose from its hold by the tree branches, and began

to move further down.

I heard what sounded like Ford's voice yelling, and then Guthrie and Evan both dove under the water near the front again,

attempting, I figured, to hook the other end of the chain to the truck somehow.

When they came up, Evan waved a hand at Mike, perched on the tractor, waiting. Mike started pulling forward

on the tractor, and the truck jerked, and lurched, and began to move toward the bank. There was more yelling as the truck

seemed to catch on more branches. At one point, the chain came off the truck's front bumper, obvious even to me, since the

truck began floating backwards.

I heard an assortment of swear words from all of the guys, and yelling, and then Guthrie dove under again to reattach

the chain. He took so long coming back up that I began to scream.

I screamed Guthrie's name over and over, and yelled at Ford and Evan to help him.

When his brown head came to the surface again, I sank to the ground on my knees, my stomach heaving. I couldn't watch

anymore.

I half-laid on the grass at the side of the road, until I heard Mike yelling.

"Harlie!" he yelled, and when I looked up, he motioned me further off the road. "Move out of the way!"

I got up quickly, to get out of the way, as Mike inched the tractor forward, pulling the truck slowly behind, until it was

out of the water, on the road again, and they were all standing beside it, soaked to the skin and muddy, and breathing hard.

"I knew that old John Deere could do it," I heard Eddie exclaim.

They came sloshing past me. They tried to pull the doors open, and finally succeeded, water rushing out.

"We'll pull it on up to the house," Mike called to Evan.

As he did that, jerking and pulling the truck along, up the hill, Evan turned to me, his hands on his hips.

"What the hell were you doin' over this way?!"

Before I could formulate an answer, Eddie spoke up, sounding regretful.

"She was giving me a ride, Evan. It's not her fault."

"It is her fault," Evan said grimly. "She knew she was supposed to be home."

I watched Evan, biting my lip.

"And even if you did come this way, why in hell would you go thru water?!" Evan ranted on. "That's got to be one of the

most bone-headed things you've ever done!"

"I should have thought about the creek being out," Eddie said, but Evan ignored his defense of me totally, and continued to glare at me.

"I thought I could make it-" I began.

"Well, obviously, that didn't happen, now did it?" Evan said, sarcasm evident.

"I'm sorry!" I said.

"Well, sorry doesn't help one damn bit!" he yelled.

"I made a mistake!"

"You sure did!"

I knew Evan had the right to be mad. I understood that. I did. But yelling at me like this, and in front of Eddie, well,

I'd had enough. I turned my back and started walking up the hill, crying. The rain was starting to taper off again, and

the sun was trying to reappear. I heard Guthrie's truck fire up, and then go around me, and even though I tried not to look,

I could see Evan's stony face, as he and Guthrie drove by. Eddie, sitting on the tail gate to ride, gave me a sympathetic look.

I kept walking, my jeans clinging to my legs. The sound of steps walking behind me, then beside me, steady as could be,

was comforting. Ford didn't say anything. He just walked with me, up the hill, and when I stopped at the top, he stopped, too.

Waiting.

"I'm stupid, Ford."

"Stop it."

"Will the truck be alright?"

Ford hesitated. "It's hard to say. If the water got in the intake manifold, then it could be bad."

I didn't have any idea what an intake manifold was, and I was too tired to ask.

"I don't feel good, Ford," I told him.

"Have you eaten?" he asked, scrutinizing me.

I thought a minute, feeling dizzy. "Not since breakfast," I said.

"Let's get to the truck," he said, and when we were in Mike's yard, Ford pulled down the tailgate of Guthrie's truck,

and steadied me until I was sitting on it.

"Sit here," he said. "I'll be right back."

I sat there, feeling dizzy, and nauseous. I could see the guys unhooking the chains, and raising the hood of Evan's truck.

I watched them, feeling as if I was detached, and they were in a movie, and this whole thing wasn't real.

Ford came back, a candy bar and a cup of water in his hand.

He handed the candy bar to me, and when my hands shook trying to open it, he took it back from me, and tore the wrapper,

and then handed it back again.

I ate the candy bar, and drank the water, and felt a little better, less fuzzy. Aunt Lucy, as I thought of her, came over.

"Ford says you're not feeling well, dear."

"I'm better now."

"Come inside, so I can fix you some proper lunch," she fussed.

I appreciated her offer, but I just wanted to go home. I looked at Ford.

He took the empty cup from my hand, and handed it to her.

"Thank you, ma'm, but I'm gonna take my sister on home," Ford said, and took my arm to pull me off the tailgate.

"Thank you," I said to her, as Ford propelled me to the front of Guthrie's truck. He went and had a quick conversation

with Evan, and then came back over to me, followed by Guthrie.

The three of us drove along in silence for a ways, and then I said, dully, "How's Evan getting home?"

"Mike's gonna bring him," Guthrie volunteered. "They're gonna pull the truck to Jake's for him."

"Oh."

More silence for a few minutes, and then I said, "I forgot to give Aunt Lucy back her shoes."

Guthrie gave me a puzzled look. "Huh?"

"She might need them, you know? She might want to pick tomatoes," I said, as if I was making total sense.

Guthrie and Ford both looked at me, and then at each other. I knew they were thinking I was out of my head.

"There's a party tonight," I said, leaning my head against Ford's shoulder, and feeling so sleepy that I closed my eyes. "It should

be a good time."

Guthrie gave a growl. "You're not goin' to any party."

"In for a penny, in for a pound," I said, without opening my eyes.

7