Page 37 of Homestead

“Nah. If you feel like it, we can go a little early to help them prep.” He’s not talking with his normal, relaxed confidence. It’s like he’s being careful with what he says. “But you don’t gotta if you don’t?—”

“It’s fine, Jimmy.” I suddenly realize what’s bothering him.

He’s afraid I’m going to have another breakdown like I did yesterday.

My cheeks flushing hotly, I try to keep my tone calm and easy. “I really am sorry about yesterday, but you don’t have to tiptoe around me. I’m happy to do all my chores and do everything that’s expected of me. I think it will get easier once I get into a better schedule with them. I shouldn’t have tried to do both the baking and the laundry yesterday. It would have been smarter to split them into two days. I could have done one of them today since it’s a light day.”

“Okay. Of course you need time to figure things out. Just don’t want to overload you in the meantime.”

“I’m not overloaded. I promise.”

He nods, peering at my face as if searching for confirmation that I’m telling him the truth. “Good. ’Cause I don’t want you…”

When he doesn’t finish, I do it for him. “To throw another fit?”

“No!” He frowns at me. “Don’t want you all stressed. I know how it feels from when I was trying to do everythin’ around here myself. So you gotta tell me if you’ve got too much on your plate.”

“Okay. I will.” I smile at him since he’s clearly trying to be nice. I just hope he’s not also a little disappointed that I can’t do normal, everyday duties without special accommodations.

“So you don’t got too much to do today?” he asks in a lighter tone.

“No, I don’t think so. Once it warms up outside, I need to check the laundry I left on the line. Hopefully I won’t have to wash it again. If it’s okay, I don’t really need to do anything today except lunch.”

His face relaxes. He’s obviously glad to hear that. Probably because it means no more hysterics from me.

“I might wash my hair,” I add, thinking through how to use an unexpectedly light day. “Do you have a lot to do?”

“Nope. This time of year isn’t too heavy. Figured I’d do more fishing so I can bring some fish this evening and see if anyone wants ’em.”

“That’s a good idea. Maybe we should take baths this afternoon before we go to your parents’.”

“Yeah, that’ll work. No way you wanna go with me smelling all fishy.”

I’m about to insist I wasn’t hinting about any such thing, but then I recognize the look on his face and realize he was teasing.

“So today shouldn’t be too bad, right?” He’s doing more of that peering at my face.

I duck my head. “Yes. It sounds good.”

“You got anything big to do tomorrow?”

“No. Just meals and basics. I understood Sunday is a rest day.”

“It is. I was just makin’ sure you’d be able to take it easy tomorrow. We can hang around and do a lot of nothin’.” He’s tilting his head in that way he does to try to see my face when I’m hiding it.

“Yes. I’d like that.”

“Okay, good. I haven’t forgotten to make you a fishin’ rod. I’ll try to get that done this weekend.”

“There’s no hurry on that. I want you to be able to take a break too.”

“Won’t be any trouble. Think I got all the stuff I need. It won’t be fancy, but it’ll work and be more your size.”

“I’ll be happy with anything.”

I’m excited about the day now. As long as I don’t have to rewash the laundry, nothing on my schedule today is strenuous or annoying. Even with going over to Jimmy’s parents’, I should have a little time to sit and read this afternoon.

As soon as the sun has been up from the hills for an hour, I go out to check the clothesline. The stuff is still wet, but it didn’t freeze overnight, and the fabric still smells clean.

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