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When Mollie slept in late,I knew she had to be exhausted. But the weather was cooling faster than she could plant, so she couldn’t afford to losea day.
“Hey, wanna come outside with me?” I asked Eric. “It’s nice.”
“Yes!” he said. “Are we gonna hang out with Hennifer?”
“Not this morning. Here. Put your jacket on.”
Once we bundled up, we walked out into the fields. Mollie had gotten more done than I’d thought.
“What are we doing out here?”
“I’m helping Mollie get this done so she doesn’t keel over.”
“Can I help?”
“I was hoping you would. I’ll dig and you plant.”
“Yes!” He pumped his fist, but then stopped. “I thought you didn’t like her.”
“I—it’s not that I don’t like her.”
“So you do.”
I scratched the back of my head. “Kinda, but?—”
“I knew it! She’s so fun. And nice. Tommy’s mom says you need nice.”
My heart jumped into my throat. “Tommy’s mom talks about me?”
“Only a little. I don’t listen too much because I’m getting ready for class, but she tells Ms. Rudder things.”
Fuck.I swallowed. “You know that you might hear something that’s not true, right?”
“About what?”
“About me.”
He frowned. “Why would someone lie about you?”
I knelt to his level. “Back when I was younger, I was different. Some people still see that side of me, even though I’ve changed.”
“I can just tell them they’re wrong.”
I patted his shoulder. “That’s very kind, but I don’t know if that’s enough.”
Eric huffed and crossed his arms. “I don’t like it.”
“Neitherdo I, but I’m used to it. It’s okay.” He didn’t answer, and I knew he needed a distraction. “Why don’t we help Mollie out? Don’t worry about those other people.”
“Fine,” he said. “But people need to know you’re a good person.”
“Maybe they will.” I doubted it. “All I can do is be me and hope it shows. Now, come on. If we finish this before lunch, I’ll make more garlic bread.”
What Eric lacked in efficiency, he made up for with enthusiasm. We finished half of a field by the time he got tired. I stopped to make lunch before getting back to it. The chickens and cows were going to be angry by the time I got to them, but they would deal.
It was just after noon when I heard a door above us fly open. Seconds later, Mollie ran down the stairs.
She was in pajamas and a robe. Her wavy hair was particularly unruly, and she had a crease from her pillow etched across her face.