Summer In Iron Springs

by Margie Broschinsky

  Norm and the others went into the kitchen and returned carrying more platters of food. “It looks like you’ve made a new friend,” he said to Phoebe, motioning a hand toward Bandit who had fallen asleep.

  Phoebe reached down and gave Bandit a gentle pat on the head. “Yeah, it looks like it,” she said, “How old is he?”

  “I’d say he’s about twelve or thirteen years old,” John said.

  “No, he’s older’n that.” Norm glanced toward the ceiling. “Let’s see . . .” He scratched his chin. “Your mom got him a few months before she passed away. So, that means he’s gotta be getting closer to fourteen years old.”

  Phoebe’s eyes welled up with tears. “Wait, you mean . . .” she swallowed hard. “Bandit was my mother’s dog?”

  Anna, who was circling the table making sure everyone got enough to eat, leaned over and kissed Phoebe on the top of the head. “He sure was. Bessie loved dogs. Your dad gave her Bandit for her 26 birthday.” She picked up an empty bowl and headed toward the kitchen to refill it. “Eat as much as you’d like,” Anna said.

  Her mother died when she was twenty six. Phoebe’s heart filled with sadness. How could she have not known that?

  “Billy, will you say the blessing?” Norm asked.

  Talking immediately ceased as heads were bowed and arms were folded. Phoebe followed suit but peered at Billy through partially closed eyes as he asked God to bless the food and gave thanks for the success in the orchard.

  When she opened her eyes after the prayer, Bandit was staring up at her. He studied her for a moment before resting his head on the floor. Phoebe leaned down and ran her hand along his back. She glanced at the people seated at the table. Aside from Billy, each of them had known her mother. And now, thirteen years after her death, they still talked about her as though they were discussing the weather or their plans for the day. How was Phoebe supposed to react to that?

  “So, Phoebe, how do you like Seattle?” Norm asked as he stuck his fork into a stack of pancakes and lifted them to his plate.

  “I like it a lot,” Phoebe said. She lifted some bacon onto her plate. “It’s nice . . . if you like rain.”

  Norm nodded. “It’s too wet for me. But I guess you get used to that, huh?” Norm shifted his attention to Anna. “Anna, I was telling the boys that the south end is nearly done.” He drowned his pancakes in syrup. “Billy sprayed all but about two hundred trees this morning.”

  Anna took a sip of her water. “Wonderful! You’re ahead of schedule.” Then, smiling at Billy, she added, “You must have been up really early this morning.”

  “I was.” He smiled at Phoebe. “I couldn’t sleep for some reason.”

  Phoebe smiled back. She knew his inability to sleep had something to do with her. Had he been thinking about her? Was that what kept him from sleeping? If so, what was he thinking?

  “How’s the pruning going?” Anna asked, directing her question to Billy and interrupting Phoebe’s thoughts.

  “Oh, don’t even mention the P word,” Billy said between bites of food. “That’s a curse word right now.”

  “Okay, I won’t.” Anna chuckled as she handed a platter to Phoebe. “Have some eggs dear. And, by the way, in case you’re wondering, these guys live here at the ranch—just over the river in that row of cabins. They eat here because none of them can cook worth a darn.” Anna stood up and headed toward the kitchen and on her way, she ruffled Billy’s hair with her hand. “Isn’t that right, Billy?”

  “Oh, we can cook. That’s not the problem, Anna. The problem is that nothing we make is edible.” Everyone, including Phoebe, laughed at that.

  As they ate, Phoebe watched Billy. He was comfortable in Anna’s house, and he interacted freely with the others—it was like they were a family. Something about that felt good to her.

  “I figure we’ll be finished staking those baby trees by mid-month—that’s if the weather cooperates and we can stay on schedule.” Norm slathered butter on a thick slice of bread. “This is delicious Anna.”

  “Thank you Norm.” The doorbell rang and Anna excused herself to answer it. She returned a moment later and was followed by another lady who took a seat at the table. After everyone had greeted the lady, Anna glanced at Phoebe. “Phoebe, I want you to meet my friend. This is Alyssa Parker. She lives in town and owns a boutique on Park Street.”

  Alyssa was tall, slender and very pretty. Her silky blonde hair looked like it was straight out of a shampoo commercial. “It’s nice to meet you, Phoebe.” Alyssa smiled at Phoebe before adding, “Size five, right?”

  “Huh?” Phoebe glanced at Alyssa with raised eyebrows.

  “I was just estimating your size.” Alyssa chuckled. “I’m pretty good at guessing clothing sizes just by looking at people. It sort of comes with the territory.”

  “Yeah…size five . . . that’s right,” Phoebe said.

  “So, you’re going to be spending the summer with us, huh?” Alyssa’s smile revealed glistening white, perfectly straight teeth.

  Phoebe nodded. “Yeah, that’s right,” she glanced at Billy and caught him looking at her. They shared a moment while the others discussed the rain that was in the forecast.

  “By the way . . .” Norm spoke to Anna. “. . . Pine Ranch called today and placed their order. It’s bigger’n last year; quite a bit bigger.”

  “That’s good news.” Anna took a bite of her scrambled eggs, chewed and swallowed before adding, “We’re fortunate to have a larger crop. It sounds like we’ll need it.” She squeezed a lemon wedge into her glass and took a sip of water. “Oh, and speaking of which, the carnival’s coming up. I’ll need you to—”

  “Already on it,” Norm said. “Billy’s gonna pick out the biggest, prettiest apples in the whole orchard for you. You’ll sell hundreds of caramel apples at the carnival.”

  “I hope so. The school could really use the money.”

  John nodded in agreement. “No question about that. And I hear we’re expecting an even larger crowd. That carnival just keeps getting bigger every year,” he said before glancing at Phoebe. “You should plan on goin’ to the carnival. It’s quite the social event in Iron Springs.”

  “When is it?” Phoebe asked.

  “Fourth of July,” John said. “It’s coming right up.”

  “It sure is.” Anna added. She glanced at Gina. Do you think you could help again this year?” Anna directed her question to Norm.

  “She’s already planning on it.” Norm answered and smiled lovingly at Gina.

  “I couldn’t be more excited.” Gina added. “Last year was a lot of fun.”

  “We’ll be there too.” Billy motioned to Stephen who nodded dutifully. “Won’t we buddy?”

  Stephen nodded while Billy served himself another helping of eggs and bacon. “After last year, I imagine you could use all the help you can get.” Billy looked at Phoebe. “Maybe we can talk Phoebe into helping with the booth.”

  “That would be nice,” Anna said. “If she wants to.”

  “I’ll help,” Phoebe said. She might as well. What else was she going to do with her time?

  “James Edwards talked to me in the parking lot,” John said. "Apparently the carnival will take place in that big lot to the north of the church. I guess it’s just grown too big to do it in the parking lot of the Shop and Save. Last year they were barely able to squeeze everyone into that crowded space.”

  “Well, that’s good news, isn’t it?” Billy asked.

  “Yes, very good news,” Anna nodded. “But it means it will take a lot more preparation and work.”

  “It also means we’ll bring in more money,” Norm added.

  “That’s right,” John said. “Maybe we can redo the gym floor and get the new computers for the school.” He stabbed his fork into a stack of pancakes and lifted them to his plate. “I was over there last week and that floor is terrible. It can’t be repaired; it needs to be replaced. And, don’t even get me started on those computers they’ve got those poor ki
ds using.”

  Norm nodded and took a long gulp of orange juice before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “The carnival should easily bring in enough money for both.”

  “I hope so,” Anna said. “Heaven knows the school board doesn’t have any extra money to spare.” She sipped her water. “And the kids deserve to have up-to-date equipment if they’re going to compete for scholarships with students at larger schools.”

  Phoebe thought about her high school. It was well-funded and had the best of everything—the best computers, the best sports equipment, even the best cafeteria food. And yet, as she listened to the conversation, she felt envious of the kids who got to attend school in a place where the whole town would come together to ensure the students had what they needed.

  After everyone had finished eating, Anna went into the kitchen and returned with a steaming apple pie in each hand. “I know it’s unusual to have dessert for breakfast but today is Alyssa’s birthday and she has to go to town later, so I invited her over to celebrate this morning.” The golden brown crust and sweet apple filling smelled delicious. “I made homemade ice cream too.”

  “You know I’d give my left arm for a piece of your apple pie Anna,” Norm said, chuckling.

  Anna smiled. “There’s no need for that Norm. Have as much as you’d like.” Anna glanced at Phoebe. “Bessie just loved my apple pie. She asked me to bake it at least once a week. She asked me to teach her to bake but, try as I might, she never could pick it up.” Anna gave a chuckle. “I remember once, she bought a frozen pumpkin pie—can you imagine?” Anna shook her head and laughed. “We had a whole garden full of pumpkins and she buys a frozen pie! It was the first Thanksgiving she and your dad spent together after they were married. Well, anyway, she put the pie in the oven but before she did, she popped it out of the pan—she didn’t know better—like I said, baking was not her life’s calling.”

  Anna lifted a slice of pie onto a plate and topped it with a heaping scoop of ice cream. The fragrant aroma of apples and cinnamon flooded the room and made Phoebe’s mouth water.

  “You get the first piece Phoebe.” She handed the plate to Phoebe and went on with her story. “It wasn’t ten minutes before Bessie had hot, soupy, pumpkin sauce dripping all over the oven and onto the floor. She called me in a panic and I hurried over to help her clean the mess. Then, I taught her to make a pumpkin pie from scratch.” Anna stopped cutting the pie for a moment and glanced at Phoebe. “You know . . .” she glanced upward, “I don’t think Bessie ever told your dad about her mistake.”

  Phoebe smiled when she thought of the pie dripping onto the floor. She liked learning about her mother’s life a lot more than pretending she didn’t have one.

  After everyone had finished their pie, Phoebe pushed her chair back and stood up. “I’ll be in my room,” she said, glancing at Billy. He grinned and her face flushed hot. She headed out of the dining room with Bandit on her heels. When they got to her room, he curled up in the center of the red shag rug that stuck out from the foot of her bed. Phoebe sat on the floor beside him and ran her hand along his soft fur.

  “So, my mom gave you that name, huh?” Bandit gazed up at her and seemed to be searching her thoughts. “Well, I like it,” she said, running her hand along the soft fur of his back. “But that doesn’t give you permission to steal my shoes, you got it?”

  Phoebe stood up and moved to her balcony. She carried a chair inside and arranged it so that it faced the paintings. Taking a seat before them, she studied each one. There was the one of the mountainside and another that depicted an old country church. Another that was an intentionally hazy interpretation of a rustic wooden bench situated high in the mountains. The smallest painting was of a charming country cottage. The tiny house was constructed of large brown, white, and yellowish stones. The rolling wooden eaves affixed to the uppermost part of the home’s facade reminded Phoebe of the gingerbread house in the fairytale Hansel and Gretel. Beautiful roses seemed to spring outward and gave just the right amount of bright red color to the otherwise muted painting. A porch light that resembled an antique lantern hung from the home’s entry way.

  As she gazed at the painting, she wondered who lived there. It was such a cozy looking place and—as she’d made a habit of doing whenever she admired beautiful works of art—Phoebe wanted to know more. She could ask Anna about it but she wouldn’t do that. Not yet anyway. Maybe she could do some research online. She inspected the painting for the artist’s signature but it was unsigned. She reached up and removed the painting from the wall and turned it over. In beautiful hand writing, there was a date: June 14, 1995.

  Three

  With her stomach filled and her energy renewed, Phoebe decided to take a walk and check out her new surroundings. After a long, hot shower, she pulled on her jeans and a t-shirt and slipped on her shoes. When he saw her tying her shoes, Bandit stood up and walked over to her. She would have liked to have taken him with her but she wasn’t sure he could handle much of a walk so she told him to stay and assured him she’d be back soon. Then, she tiptoed to the end of the hall where she stopped and stood motionless as she turned an ear toward the lower level.

  No voices—just a buzzing sound. She peered down the stairs and spotted a grey cat curled up in a ball. Other than the cat, there wasn’t anyone in sight so she crept down the stairs. She knew Anna wouldn’t mind if she went for a walk but she just didn’t feel like having to ask permission or explain where she was going. Once she got to the foyer, she tiptoed toward the front door. Then, she reached out, wrapped her hand around the doorknob and was about to turn it but stopped short when she heard Anna’s voice coming from her office just down the hall.

  “Well, I disagree. She has a right to know.” Anna spoke loudly. “What you’re asking me to do is so unfair!”

  Phoebe’s ears pricked up. Who has a right to know what? She stood frozen. What’s unfair?

  “I can’t believe you're asking me to do this. I mean, you leave town, refuse to let us see her for thirteen years, and now you expect me to perpetuate a lie?”

  There was silence for a minute and then Anna continued. “Well, I’m not going to do it.” After another moment Anna added, “Peter, everyone in Iron Springs knows about this. She’s bound to find out the truth one way or another.”

  Peter? She’s talking to my father! Questions swirled through Phoebe’s mind. Why was Anna angry with her father? Clearly they were talking about her. What did Anna think Phoebe had a right to know?

  “Well, I won’t come right out and tell her. But, if she asks, I won’t lie either.”

  So, my dad is lying to me about something? Interesting? Turns out mister high-and-mighty is not so perfect after all. Phoebe’s blood was boiling as she thought about the ‘trust is earned’ talk Peter had given her just before announcing he was shipping her to Iron Springs where she could ‘learn a few lessons’. She considered stomping into Anna’s office and snatching the phone out of her hand and demanding that her father tell her what he was lying to her about. But, she didn’t want to talk to him now. She had to get her thoughts in order first. She needed to be alone to think about what she’d heard. She backed her way outside and quietly pulled the door shut.

  “Where you headed?” Billy asked from his seat in the porch swing. He gave a small chuckle when his words startled Phoebe and caused her to jump.

  “I’m taking a walk.” Phoebe put a hand over her heart. “You scared me half to death.”

  Billy forced a serious expression. “I didn’t mean to.” He gave her a flirty glance. “Forgive me?”

  “Yeah.” Phoebe turned to walk away. Billy hadn’t done anything wrong. But the conversation she’d overheard made her so mad she couldn’t think straight.

  Billy jogged to catch up with her. “Want some company?”

  “No thanks.” She had no idea where she was going and she didn’t care. All she knew for sure was that she needed to get away. She needed to sort some things out. The phone call was a
t the top of her list. Before she confronted her dad, she needed some time alone to think.

  “Well, where are you going? I mean, do you even know your way around?”

  Phoebe stopped and turned to face Billy. “Look, I’m not trying to be mean but I really need to be alone right now, okay? I just heard Anna on the phone and . . .” Her voice cracked and she swallowed hard and tried to force away her emotions. “Never mind, I just want to be alone for a while.”

  “Wait a sec,” Billy said. He moved closer to her and looked her in the eyes. “You said you heard Anna on the phone.” He put a hand on her arm and left it there. “What did you hear?”

  Part of her wanted to tell him about the phone call but the part that was furious with her father and needed some time to think things over was stronger. “Nothing.” She shook her head. “I’ll be back soon, okay?” She forced a smile so he would know she was fine. “I’m okay, I promise.”

  “All right, but if you decide you want to talk about it, I have two ears right here just waiting for you.” He wrapped his hand around her arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Okay?”

  Phoebe nodded her head. “Okay. Thanks.”

  “Promise?” Billy said. “You’ll talk to me if you need to?”

  “Yes, I promise.” Phoebe smiled again. “I’ll see you in a while.”

  ***

  As she walked, Anna’s words echoed in her mind.

  She has a right to know.

  The fact that Peter was hiding something from her was bad enough but all his preaching about doing the right thing made Phoebe furious. Guess the rules don’t apply to him, she thought, as she turned and headed toward Park Street. She couldn’t shop since she didn’t have money but window shopping was almost as good as real shopping. And retail therapy had always served her well.

  Within a few minutes, she was in the touristy shopping district of Iron Springs. She was surprised by the swarms of people. It was weird that the place was actually in Iron Springs. She hadn’t traveled to another city. She’d simply walked a couple miles into town and now she stood amidst restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries that lined both sides of Park Street. It was not quite as large as Pike Place Market in Seattle, but she was sure it was the closest thing to home she’d find in Iron Springs. She walked from one store to the next making mental notes of the places she wanted to return to if her father ever sent her any money.