Friday

Friday! Test day. It was a good thing I had taken the time last night to go over my notes in every one of my subjects and do some extra reading on them.

Test day was a storm that brewed all day long, test after test. By the end of the day my mind, eyes, and body were completely turned to mush. I felt pretty good about how I had done on the tests and my plan was to ride home as quickly as I could and do as many of my chores as fast as possible so I’d be able to get an early start on Saturday morning.

I had changed my clothes and was working in the garden when my dad came out of the house and started my way. He said he wanted to talk to me. This was never a good sign as he ignored me unless my mom sent him to put the fear of God into me.

I kept on working pulling weeds and he started talking about the folly of my time spent in the swamp and how it was not right I would be alone all day with Stephanie.

I had absolutely no clue as to what he was talking about and kept pulling weeds. When it seemed like he was all done, he asked, “Do you understand?”

Right. Whatever he said, I did not understand enough to ask any questions. “Yes, Sir!”

As he walked away, I quickly asked if I completed everything on my list could I leave to go to my dig by 8:00 AM.

He turned and said, “Okay. You know the rule about being home for dinner and you will remember what we talked about.”

“Yes, Sir!”

Dinner was quiet, quieter than I had ever heard it before. Something was brewing. It was as if there was a secret and I was not in on the telling.

After dinner I went back to work and worked long after dark to finish everything on the list. It was late. I was tired. After a quick shower, laying out my stuff for the morning, I went to bed.