Meadowlarks by Thomas Holladay (chapter books to read to 5 year olds TXT) 📕

She turned back, those eyes smiling now, forcing her mouth to frown.

Jason said, “Can I have my knife now, please? A mountain man needs a good knife, you know, like a rancher needs a good horse. Come on, who’s going to clean the fish when I take you fishing? Don’t you know anything?”

Chapter Ten

Jason hated being late, already a couple of minutes past ten driving up River Road toward the village. Mom always took too long getting ready. She looked over and touched the front of his hair for the millionth time, making sure it looked okay. “You need a haircut.”

“Is there even a barbershop up here? John and Willis both have long hair. I don’t mind.”

“Remind me to check on that today.”

Mom drove around a curve and those two giant trees showed up, not much farther. She said, “You’ve been getting up very early. What’s going on?”

“We’ve got horses to feed and take care of.” Jason always got into the barn by first light. He couldn’t wait to see Stoner and Dandy. Besides, by the time he finished in the barn and got cleaned up, Mom had breakfast ready. His new system worked great. With school starting the following day, he'd need to make changes.

“Isn’t John Crow taking care of the horses?”

“He feeds the cattle first thing in the morning then comes up to clean the barn and make sure we’ve got the right amount of feed and stuff.”

“He’s not letting you ride outside, is he?”

“Just around the corral, like you said.” Stoner needed to get out and run but Mom wouldn’t allow it. John said Dandy needed to get out too. “When are you gonna learn to ride?”

She looked at Jason sideways, thinking about it. “Tomorrow, after you’re in school.”

Jason knew she didn't want to ride horses. “It’s okay, Mom. John’s a good teacher. The best.”

She turned off River Road near the store.

Jason scratched the palm of his left hand. All those people would be staring at them. He wouldn't like it.

They'll stare more 'cause we're late. 

“Can’t we go next Sunday instead?” Maybe she could be on time.

“We’re already here, silly.” She drove past those two giant trees with a long, log building in back. She slowed in front of a small church, had to be the Rock. The steep roofed church had been built right up against a tall, slender rock that almost looked like a steeple.

She turned into a small parking lot and parked. “Don’t you want to meet our new neighbors?”

They rolled up their windows and locked the car.

She tried to take Jason’s hand but he pulled away and ran ahead. He didn't need to hold her hand anymore, too big for that. He slowed down to look at the church.

The eaves of the high pitched, green metal roof came down close to the parking lot. The deep overhang nearly hid the stone walls behind, tightly fitted like their new house. A flock of yellow breasted birds fluttered around and sat up on the roof ridge, all looking at Jason.

Creepy.

Jason rounded the corner and waited for Mom under the deep overhang of the gable roof, protecting a wall of wood and glass. Beautiful Celtic crosses had been chiseled into the front doors. They looked like Willis’s workmanship. Jason's father had drawn one just like these, one of Jason's favorite memories.

The small church was nearly completely filled, men and boys dressed in wide brimmed black hats and black suits. Women and girls wore black bonnets tied under their chins and black dresses, all seated on high-backed wooden benches. Everybody sat facedown, reading from their Bibles.

Mom hadn't even brought her Bible.

A tall, skinny man stood up on the altar without a hat, probably the pastor. His long gray hair looked like he just got out of bed. He read from a big, gold edged Bible.

The self-closing front door behind them closed with a thump and the pastor looked up. “Aha.” He jumped from the altar and rushed toward them. “You must be the new Potters from down below.”

Everybody turned to look at them. Some even stood.

Jason felt stupid in his new tan suit and Mom wearing a new summer dress with everybody else wearing black.

The pastor said, “I’m Marcus Twilby, vicar here at the Rock Church and the head schoolmaster.” He clasped Mom’s hand with both hands and shook it like crazy. “We’ve been expecting you all morning. Glad you could come.” He shook Jason’s hand and smiled. His hand felt clammy.

Jason let go.

“I’m sorry we’re late,” said Mom, her usual apologetic tone.

Everybody stared at Jason's light-colored suit.

He turned back toward the door, seeking escape.

John Crow stood in a corner near the doors at the low edge of the steeply pitched ceiling. He smiled, hello. It must be okay with John that they'd arrived late and had dressed differently.

Jason felt better already.

He looked around but couldn't find Willis.

Vicar Twilby ushered them to the front row where Sheriff Nason and Mr. Embry made room for them to sit. What must be Mr. Embry's wife and his two boys sat close to him. His boys had red hair and freckles, both with green eyes, had to be twins. Nobody could tell them apart. They smiled and nudged each other, both looking at Jason, probably making fun of Jason’s clothes.

Jimmy O’Connell had been like that, having fun all the time.

Wish he was here.

Everybody sat and returned to reading their Bibles.

The vicar returned to the altar and loudly cleared his throat. “We’ll all get a chance to meet with the Potters after.” He looked at Mom. “We’re reading from Acts of the Apostles, Chapter Twelve, where King Herod is attacking members of Christ’s early church.”

The congregation fell silent and read their Bibles.

Sheriff Nason gave Mom his Bible and turned to share with the woman sitting on his other side, maybe his wife.

Jason looked over his mom’s elbow, pretending to read. He’d rather be fishing with Willis.

The vicar cleared his throat again and everybody closed