Deception Creek by Terry Persun Read Free Book Online Page A

not seen Jack smile before and noticed how that one act removed all the threatening angles from his face. Smoothed them into rounded, softer lines. The dark eyes, dense and deep, sparkled in what seemed to Billy a complete metamorphosis.
    Jack nodded. “I knew Todd back in high school. Never thought I’d see him here. Of all people, I expected him to be in some big city wheeling and dealing.”
    â€œYou from here then?” Billy asked.
    Jack stopped. He turned to look at Billy squarely. His face metamorphosed back into something — someone — much more serious, strong, almost frightening. “I’m from Shannon. A little ways over the—”
    â€œI know where Shannon is.” Billy felt great amounts of energy coming from Jack, but couldn’t let him go on. Neither of them spoke until they neared the truck where Harry posted the jobs. They both knew what they were doing for the day, so Jack began to break off from Billy. “Hey,” Billy yelled after him. “Did you know William Maynard?” He swallowed hard.
    Jack lifted his coffee towards Billy and nodded. “We’ll talk later.”
    Billy watched Jack walk away, then ran around to the back of the church where Mel had already begun to mix the mortar.
    â€œBilly, can you take over here?” Mel said, holding the shovel handle toward him. “I’m going up the scaffolding to look over the next section. See what it’s going to take.”
    â€œMel?” Billy said.
    â€œYeah. What is it?”
    â€œMy mom told me Jack’s an ex-con.”
    â€œWell a man’s past ain’t nobody’s business unless he wants it to be.” Mel went on over to the scaffolding.
    â€œDon’t you wonder?”
    â€œNo. I don’t.” Mel said.
    Work went slow that morning. When lunch came, Billy could hardly wait to speak with Jack. But Jack didn’t show up until near the end of lunch. “You waiting for me?” Jack said.
    Billy turned.
    â€œApparently, your mom had a little talk with Harry,” Jack said. He told me to stay away from you, or else.” Jack laughed. “I know there’s no ‘or else’ to it though. He can’t find anyone else to climb up there.” Jack kneeled next to the truck.
    Billy sat on the tailgate. “Why is Mom so dead set against my talking with you? You know her, don’t you? You knew my father?”
    Jack paused, contemplating how to answer. “It’s a long story,” he said finally.
    â€œI’ve got time.”
    â€œNot now,” Jack said. “Let me think. And you should speak with Alice. It’s not my place.”
    â€œShe gets too upset.” Billy bit his lip. “I’ll talk with Grandpa. He’ll level with me.”
    â€œNo, Billy, he won’t.” Jack stood.
    â€œWait,” Billy said. “Why won’t he? How do you know him?”
    Jack answered, “You better ask your mom.”
    At the back of the church, Mel was looking over their work.
    â€œHow’s it look?” Billy asked.
    Mel scratched his two-day beard and concentrated for a moment. He glanced at Billy. “My section looks almost perfect. But you see that last bit you put in?”
    â€œYeah,” Billy said.
    â€œLooks like shit.”
    Billy’s face flushed. He searched the work with his eyes trying to figure out what was wrong.
    Mel laughed.
    â€œThat wasn’t funny,” Billy said. “You know that, Mel. You know it wasn’t funny.”
    Mel continued to laugh. “Made you nervous for a second.”
    â€œNo, you didn’t. I’d gladly do it over again. You’re an asshole, you know?”
    Mel laughed even louder. “Finally got a rise outta you.”
    â€œAlready, and it’s only day two.” Billy slapped Mel’s shoulder. “You know something about Jack, don’t you?”
    Mel’s shoulders slumped. “Shit, man. You sure know