Linked Through Time by Jessica Tornese Read Free Book Online Page B

the urge to stick my tongue out and whisked the bucket away. I made my way across the yard to the rusty water pump and after straining a bit, pulled the handle up to release the flow of water. Cool, clear water flowed from the pipe and splattered at my feet. I filled the bucket and then stuck my head into the powerful stream. Icy water ran down my face and neck rinsing the gritty feel of dirt from my skin. Awkwardly, I lugged the bucket back to the house, stumbling every few steps and splashing the ground with great splotches of water. Half the contents had spilled before I placed the bucket back in its spot. I felt a new respect for Louise, my “sister” who was half my size and yet, carried a full bucket of water better than I did.
    I raced through dinner, barely tasting whatever had been set before me. I knew better than to ask what had been served anyway. My father’s stories ran through my head as I recalled him talking about eating a variety of wildlife just to keep the family fed. He told me they’d eaten everything - fox, raccoon, squirrel, deer, grouse, and even turtle. My hunger from working outside all day far outweighed my curiosity, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep the meal down if the truth of what we were eating were revealed. I turned my thoughts to the night ahead - meeting Dave at the rapids.
    The clock slowly approached eight and I realized I hadn’t changed. Looking down at my filthy jeans and sweaty T-shirt, I was appalled that Dave would see me this way. “Gran… er, Mom? Is it all right if I meet Dave for a little while after dinner? He said he wanted to give me a birthday present.” I tried to keep my voice even.
    I noticed Rodney elbow Bobby in the side, shooting him an “I told you so” look, referencing his point from the argument in the barn.
    Gran didn’t bother turning from the wood stove to answer. “Be back before ten and make sure you shut the gate after you. Don’t want the cows out again,” she said, reminding me of the night of my accident.
    I cleared my plate and skipped lightly up the stairs, barely feeling the aches from the day. A natural high was taking over my body in my anticipation of my first date ever. Entering the yellow room I shared with Louise and Janice, I looked around for some sort of help. What I needed was a magician. Without make-up, a shower, and a hair straightener, there wasn’t much I could do to improve my position. It was hard to believe I shared such a small room with two other girls; even harder to believe we all shared the same bed. I’d never had to share anything before. I pulled open the drawers to the wooden dresser and moaned. The drawers were practically empty, holding exactly four button-down blouses, four T-shirts, six pairs of underwear, two bras, and three pairs of tights.
    Looking around in dismay, I pawed through the clothes hanging on the metal rod on the wall. Three heavy coats, four pleated skirts of varying size, four sweaters, and two long sleeve flannel shirts rounded out my choice of clothing.
    How could three girls share such a limited amount of clothing? It was unthinkable.
    I frowned. I had nothing to wear on my date with Dave, plus I smelled like I’d just participated in a wrestling match with the barnyard animals.
    I pulled on a fresh tee and decided to leave on the dirty jeans; we were meeting at the rapids after all. Maybe he wouldn’t notice. If I sit down wind of him, maybe I can get by, I thought miserably.
    I hoped my first date didn’t turn out to be my last.
    Running my fingers quickly through my snarled hair, I shrugged at my reflection in the tiny mirror above the dresser. It was now or never.
    Hurrying down the steps, I had almost reached the door when a gruff voice barked from the living room, “Where do you think you’re going?”
    My steps faltered at the sound of my grandfather’s stern voice. Where had he been all this time? “Gran…Mom said I could meet Dave out to get my birthday