you can never go to far down a road that you can't turn back around

Chapter One

The world was flying by me as I walk down the dirt road to the valley end, to my best friend’s house.  Even though he is a boy and all the girls think that boys have a mythical disease, I disagreed.  As I walked down the road, young girls with their family would be on their way to church to listen to the preacher. They always wore fancy dresses I never did understand. They usually smiled at me and looked me up and down. Then, they would whisper & laugh to each another, most likely about me.  I was not in one of the richer families that went to school and church.  My ma always tried to teach me to read but I never understood. She came from a rich family but she loved my pa she ran away from her family because they did not want her to get into a farmer family.  She got married despite their protests, however.

 Finally I was at my friend’s house. He really was a farmer's boy at heart. He was tending to a sheep that had gotten out last night and was attacked by a wolf.  Mr. Harvaws was also there, so he took over and let us play in the fields. If that were my pa, and I was tending to the cattle, he would send John away 'till I was finished. That is why I go to his house instead of mine. 

We played all day long.  Then it was almost the end of the day, and the sun was finally setting, painting a beautiful sky of reds and yellows.

"It was too late. The wolves would be coming. Round up the sheep, before they get in trouble again." That was what Mr. Harvaws would always say once he called John in.He would say it in his southern accent that I grew up with.

“But pa, me and Susan are haven fun.” 

“Susan, you're still here? Are you not eating tonight? You’re mighty late for supper.”    

“O my, I sure am,” I scratched the back of my head as my head heated up in embarrassment,   “Sorry John, I must be on my way before I am forced to go to bed without supper.”

“I understand. Have a good night, Susan.” He smiled warmly at me as he whispered the words back, just as sheepishly. I couldn't help but smile back and wave at the kind family that I can almost believe to be my own.

I ran the rest of the way home so I was not later than I should be.  As I ran up the road, my house was getting closer and closer with every step I took.  Now I could picture my pa on the porch with his crossed arms and disappointed look. Normally, that was not a good sign. He always tells me not to be late for supper. My ma makes her signature stew that melted in my mouth. It was almost a disappointment when I have to miss it.

Pa sees me down the road. He was tapping his foot, but he doesn’t seem that mad. It is dark now but the candle lights were lit, guiding me as I ran as fast as I can past him. It fell down the category as fruitless considering that he still catches me by the back of the dress.  His grasp was tight but his face softened.  I stood there as my father started to look me up and down. 

“You should eat and fill the tub of water. You’re mighty dirty, and you need your strength for tomorrow.”

Something important must be happening tomorrow. We must be going to the village because we have had a good year with the corn.  So I did what I was told, and I was off to bed as soon as possible to think of things that can happen tomorrow.

I imagined of all the great things that can happen. I ignored the worst. I smiled, and blew out the candle beside my bedside.