Grayfox Read Free

line and told me how I could get hired.
    I practically jumped at the chance right then!
    It would be a way to get away from Miracle. And the money they were paying riders was a lot—twenty-five dollars a week, plus your food and lodging!
    I decided right then and there . . . I was gonna go!
    But Pa and Almeda had other ideas.
    I came home right away and told Almeda. She said I’d have to wait till Pa got home and talk it over with him. I don’t know what got into me, but her words riled me, and I flared up at her. I’d never spoken so disrespectful to a woman in my life.
    â€œWhen am I gonna be old enough to make up my own mind about anything?” I yelled at her. “You and Pa treat me like I’m no more’n about six!”
    â€œZack, I’m sorry. I just thought—”
    But I was so upset I didn’t even let her finish.
    â€œDon’t make no difference around here what I might think or what I might wanna do with myself!” I said back. “You all treat Corrie like she’s a princess, but who cares about ol’ Zack!”
    I don’t even remember what I said exactly, but it wasn’t none too polite. I yelled and stormed some more and made poor Almeda cry. Then I turned around and left the house.
    I went up in the mountains and camped alone by myself for a week or so, but that didn’t resolve nothing in my mind. I was still all worked up and still determined in my own self to go ride for the Pony Express.
    Finally I realized I’d have to go home eventually, even if it was just to get some of my things so I could go and take the job. So I rode down out of the hills. I knew Pa’d be back by then, and I knew it could get kinda ugly and tense between us. I wasn’t planning to say nothing especially, just to get my things and go. But Pa’s a headstrong man if you cross him. And after what I’d done and said, and how rude I’d been to his wife, I reckoned he’d be pretty riled when I got back.
    I was sure right about that!
    The minute I walked into the house, I could feel the air thick with all kinds of things nobody was saying.

Chapter 4 Me and Pa Come to Blows
    I don’t suppose I looked too good—all sloppy and dirty, and with five days’ worth of beard. I sure wasn’t smiling.
    I saw Corrie first when I walked in and gave her a little nod. I couldn’t help wishing Pa wasn’t there right at first. But he was, and there wasn’t any way to pretend he wasn’t.
    â€œWhere you been, son?” he asked me.
    â€œOut riding,” I said back.
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œJust around.” I was nervous, wondering what he was going to say. I moved over to the stove to see if there was anything left from breakfast to eat. I was famished.
    â€œSurprised me some to find you gone,” Pa went on. “When I’m away I expect you to look after the family.”
    I didn’t say anything, just picked up a piece of bread and started chewing on it.
    â€œYou don’t figure you owe no responsibility to the family, is that it?”
    â€œIt’s your family, not mine,” I said, half-mumbling.
    â€œWhat’s that you say?” asked Pa.
    I repeated what I’d just said.
    â€œWhat do you mean by that?” he growled back at me.
    â€œWhat should you care what I do?” I said, not mumbling now but speaking out louder than I should have if I knew what was good for me. “You all got your own plans. Corrie’s got her writing, and you all think she’s pretty great at everything she does. And you’re busy being the town’s important man. There ain’t nothing Almeda can’t do for herself. What do any of you need me for?”
    â€œWhen I’m not here, I want you keeping a watch over things, that’s what,” said Pa, his voice getting more angry.
    â€œZack, please. I don’t want—”
    It was Almeda speaking now, but I cut her