The Fence My Father Built by Linda S. Clare Read Free Book Online Page A

get involved?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking a personal question … so much for vows. I turned one shoulder into the wind, which was gusting now and revving up the way it did everyday.
    “At the time I had a pretty solid practice. But after my divorce turned ugly, I needed to start over somewhere else. I bailed out Denny's friend.”
    “Dennis must be a really good friend.”
    “He is. Best archaeologist around. But he got hired at Portland State so he had to pass up the offer. Besides, my exwife kept leaning on me to patch things up. Murkee looked like a good place to hide.”
    This time I laughed. “I know what you mean about your ex. Mine drives me crazy too.” I wanted to know more about his friend. “Archaeologist, eh? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a real archaeologist, except on TV.”
    “Denny Moses is one of a kind. He's a Ph.D. and the most famous member of the Warm Springs Confederated Tribes.”Rubin gripped the top of the gas company sign. His fingers resembled a surgeon's, even if they were veterinary surgeon's hands. “Sun's going to get hot today.” He grinned again.
    I looked at my watch; it was nearly six-thirty. “I’d better be getting back. The kids will worry. Nice meeting you, Doctor.”
    The handshake was one moment longer than necessary, which I imagined to be intentional on his part. I withdrew my hand.
    “Out here I’m just Rubin, or Doc, if you like. Say hey to Tiny and Lutie for me,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.” He turned back toward where he’d first appeared, and I watched him until he was gone. He had a purposeful walk, as if he knew where he was headed.
    He seemed anything but a real cowboy. I walked home thinking about Linc Jackson, Rubin Jonto, and John Wayne. If this was the West, it was starting off wild.
     
    “M other, where were you?” Nova stood at the trailer door as I wound my way past Tiny's old tan pickup, parked in the yard with the rest of the junk. Nova didn’t call me Mother often, and I sighed. What could have gone wrong in less than an hour?
    My daughter didn’t wait to hear where I’d been. “I’m like totally dirty, and Tru's been in the bathroom for hours. He's hogged all the hot water, if there ever was any,” she said, sticking out her lower lip. “This place stinks. I’m leaving the first chance I get.” She glared, but I wondered if her threat was just for show.
    I pursed my lips and didn’t buy it. “Last time I gave you a driving lesson you couldn’t get the van out of first gear.How far do you think you’ll get? I’ll speak to your brother.” I brushed past her and headed toward the bathroom.
    “I’ll do it,” she said. “Watch me.” She plopped down, dressed only in an extra large T-shirt and panties, and glowered at me from the living room sofa. The shirt, one of Chaz's with Grateful Dead dancing bears parading across its front, was so worn it was nearly transparent. I thought I should probably address the subject of modesty after I noticed Lutie's raised eyebrows. I told myself Nova wouldn’t really take the van and run off.
    “Truman, you almost done?” I rapped lightly on the door. It seemed that just yesterday I was still helping him out of the tub, wrapping him up in a towel, laying out his clean clothes. Now I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen my son naked.
    Moments later the door opened and a trail of steam leaked out. “I’ve only been in here ten minutes, Mom, I swear.” He slid on his glasses. “She's such a pain in the—”
    “Watch your mouth,” I cut in, “even if it's true.”
    “ Neck , Mom, I was going to say neck .”
    “Right.”
    Uncle Tiny poked his head around the corner. “Hungry? I’m baking scones, with plum jelly,” he said. Suddenly, I felt starved.
    “Somebody help me up,” Lutie called from the recliner. “Footrest's stuck.”
    Nova sighed loudly, helped her aunt, then dashed toward the bathroom. Tru squeezed past me through the narrow