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    The Other Side of the Tree
    The Other Side of the Tree
    The Other Side of the Tree
    Ebook89 pages1 hour

    The Other Side of the Tree

    By Rich Davidson

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Young Ricky Solomon finds himself lonely and confused in a dark forest of his life until he partners with his philosophical lumberman grandfather and learns to look on The Other Side of the Tree.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateOct 22, 2013
    ISBN9781619276215
    The Other Side of the Tree

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      Book preview

      The Other Side of the Tree - Rich Davidson

      9781619276215

      CHAPTER 1

      The 1946 Chevy sedan backfired as it was downshifted into second gear, releasing a puff of blue smoke from the tailpipe to mix into the trail of steam escaping from under the hood and rolling over the windshield and roof. The driver carefully guided it up to the single gas pump in front of the station alongside the two lane highway, turned off the ignition, cursed an inaudible oath and exited the car.

      Are we almost there, Mom? asked the six year old blonde boy from the back seat. Ricky Solomon was wedged into the passenger-side corner, sharing the back seat with stacks of clothing, several boxes, and most of the worldly possessions of this family of three.

      No, but it won’t be too long, Ricky answered his mom, in a tired voice. She turned to watch her husband open the trunk, retrieve a quart can of oil, an oil can pour spout, and a blackened rag, soiled by too many uses.

      How long since we last saw them? he asked.

      Almost two years. She saw the station owner, a grizzled old timer in bib overalls, staring intently at the driver, who had now opened the hood cautiously, maintaining a safe distance from the dangerous steam emanating from around the radiator cap. The owner seemed to be scowling, expecting this to be another of those who stopped for free water, free air, and perhaps a trip to the restroom before they drove off as a non-revenue traveler.

      How far is it from our place to Grandma and Grandpa’s?

      About 100 miles. You gotta go to the bathroom while we’re stopped?

      No, I’m too excited! I just want to get there and see everybody again. Who all is living there now?

      Well, Raymond and Margaret are married and gone. Wilda is in the Air Force, Guy is in the Army in Korea, and Glenn is working in Lansing. Harriet is still at home, but she has a boyfriend, according to Mom’s last letter. That just leaves Donald, Roy, Bobby and Sissy.

      Wow! So where are we gonna sleep, out in the barn? He laughed at his quick but slightly ridiculous solution.

      No, Mom wrote that Dad had cleaned out one of his tool sheds so that we could at least sleep out there. We’ll eat in the house.

      They were interrupted by a suppressed curse from under the hood as the radiator cap, covered by the rag but driven by steam pressure, went ricocheting off the underside of the hood and landed several feet behind the driver. He picked up the cap with the rag, wiped off the gravel and dirt, and placed it upside down on the left fender. As the steam began to subside, he turned his attention to the job of adding yet another quart of oil to the old car.

      Has anyone else ever slept in the tool shed before?

      No, and hopefully we won’t have to for long. As soon as they rebuild the factory and get all the tornado damage cleaned up, we’ll probably move back south so your father can go back to work there. Until then, he can earn a little bit working on Dad’s sawmill and farm, and maybe find some other work in town. There just aren’t many jobs around right now.

      Are you gonna work somewhere, too?

      Probably not. There is always lots to do on the farm, and everyone, even you kids, can do something, like carrying in wood, slopping the hogs, and bringing Ma’s cows up for milking.

      Doesn’t Grandpa milk the cows? Gaylord’s dad milks his cows.

      No, Dad considers himself a sawmill operator first, and a farmer second. He plants and tends to the crops, and gets his money from those two things. Ma gets a check from the creamery when they pick up every two weeks. At least they usually have some money coming in, and that’s why we’re gonna live beside them for a while. And please don’t call him ‘Gaylord’. He’s your step dad, so you can call him Dad.

      But, Mom, he got mad at me last month and swore at me and said ‘You’re not my son. You’re lucky you’ve got a place to live.’ I was afraid he was gonna hit me, so I ran outside. Why is he almost always mad?

      He’s got a lot on his mind, Ricky, so please try not to upset him. Things will get better, I’m sure.

      The boy and his mother watched in silence as he retrieved the three gallon water bucket from beside the gas pump and slowly added cooler water to the radiator, gradually causing the steaming to stop. He replaced the radiator cap, turned it tight, and slammed the hood. He walked around the car, inspecting the tires, looking for any new bulges. When he opened the gas cap and reached for the gas pump hose, the station owner backed away from the window, finally convinced that he had a paying customer.

      Are you excited too, Mom? I mean, about moving to live by Grandma and Grandpa?

      Well, I look forward to seeing them, but I wish we could afford not to. Dad is a very proud man, and I know he will probably lecture us about not looking hard enough for work. But we just don’t have any choice right now.

      Gaylord pumped two dollars worth of gas and entered the store to pay. He came out moments later with a brown bag under his arm. Looking left and right, as if he might be spotted with contraband, he opened the trunk, placed the bag inside and slammed the trunk a bit harder than probably necessary. He again glanced in all directions before heading toward the driver’s door.

      What did he buy? Ricky quickly and quietly asked.

      His beer. He needs it to relax at night. Now, sit back and be quiet.

      CHAPTER 2

      Sissy was the first one down the farmhouse steps and running toward the car as they entered the driveway from the gravel road. The dust cloud had barely settled when Ricky opened his door and jumped out, grinning just as broadly as his younger aunt.

      Wow, have you grown up! she exclaimed. It’s gonna be fun to have somebody my own age to play with. Hi, Betty. Hi Gaylord. We’re just getting ready to eat supper. Have ya et yet?

      Not yet, Betty smiled. Ricky, you need to help unpack the car before it gets dark, then we’ll eat. Start carrying those boxes over by the white shed.

      Ricky turned to survey the farm. The big farmhouse sat back from the road. Two small sheds, one gray and the other white, sat side by side across the driveway but nearer the

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