What This River Keeps: A Novel

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT S leeping two hours before rising to work among saw blades after the craziness of the past week wouldn't have been what a medical doctor or some other learned person might have recommended, but it was exactly what Ollie did after finding himself back in Summer's grace. He'd driven home before dawn and slept a little and now he was back on the concrete floor, watching a giant oak get planked. The way the night had turned out, he hadn't been able to visit or even call his mama, and he hated that. But things with Summer had required immediate and careful attention. What had the old man called this thing with his mom? Heatstroke. He thought about asking Ray if people couldn't use half of their bodies after a heatstroke, but he never did. Ray wasn't no damned doctor, and he was in a shitty mood besides. Ollie figured that the washing machine had broken but he sure as hell wasn't going to ask about that. Tonight after work, he was going to see his mom. And he had another plan cooking in his head, too. When his dad showed up yesterday morning, it became pretty clear that his parents had written off his vacation as a trip to the pen. As soon as he took a little leave of absence, something people did all the time, they automatically assumed the worst-their son had fucked up again, and this time they'd tossed him in the state lockup. He wouldn't be surprised to find out they'd called the jail, looking to see if he'd checked in. Granted, he had spent a night or two in that fine establishment. But a man deserved a chance to start over, didn't he? Well, tonight, he'd show them what he'd been up to. Let the old driedup man run his eyes over Summer's brown legs. By God, he wasn't so old yet he wouldn't do that. Let his mom go ga-ga over Spring's antics and long eyelashes. Hell yes. He'd shove his women in their faces, show them he could make more than shit piles in his life. Directly after work he went home, showered thoroughly and called Summer. Told her he had a surprise for her, and to get Spring ready. teLet me guess: you're taking us to the Dairy Queen," she said. teNope, that ain't it/' he said. But she seemed disappointed, so he added, teWell, thafs part ofit. But it ain't all ofit." He hung up and shoved his keys and wallet into his jeans. Then he reached for his pocketknife and a pack ofgum and pocketed them also. He was two strides down the path when he suddenly felt like he'd gulped soured milk: they would be coming within miles of right here. She'd been asking about his place since the beginning-now what could he say? He'd been hiding it like a body in a basement, but he didn't know how much longer he could 270 What This River Keeps 271 maintain the secrecy. Already on the verge ofbeing late, he flew around the trailer and tried to tuck trash away. There was no way he was going to do dishes now, so he spread a towel over the sinkful of plates and the cookie sheet covered with dried bits of fish sticks. All of the clothes tumbled into the still-wet bathtub and hid behind the shower curtain. The rooms smelled like the inside of a laundry hamper, but he didn't have anything to make it smell better. He put a little more thought toward that and then took the bottle of cologne from the bathroom cabinet and sprinkled a drop or two on the carpet. Hard to say ifthat helped and it's not like they gave that stuffto you. Sometime when he got to Walmart he'd have to buy some carpet spray or maybe even a candle. But how much can you polish a turd, he said to himself as he swung the flimsy door shut behind him. Spring wore a little purple dress and she was excited. He'd said enough to Summer to let her know that they might dress up a little. He himselfwore a collared shirt with three buttons and the same jeans he'd worn the night before...