Downhill Chance by Donna Morrissey

Author:Donna Morrissey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP (CANADA)

CHAPTER NINE

NOW, SEE, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED,” says Roddy. “Henry, Conner and Sammy was all upon the rock and Conner was getting crankier because he wanted to go live in Henry’s house. And he was starting to get a bit jealous of how well Henry and Sammy was getting on. So, he tries to turn Henry against Sammy.

“‘Brothers, that’s some ugly scar,’ he said to Sammy. ‘How come you won’t touch it, Henry—go on, touch it,’ he coaxed, taking another poke at the scar. ‘Whassa matter, my son,’ he bawls when Sammy shoves his hand away, ‘it’s nothing we ain’t seen before, is it, Henry? Go on, feel it, Henry.’ And grabbing Sammy by the shoulder, Conner knocked him flat on his back so’s Henry could have a good look. And with it right close up like this, Henry couldn’t help looking—just a little thing it was, red and soft looking. But Sammy was clenching shut his eyes as if it was his private parts that Henry was staring at.

“‘Let him go, my son,’ Henry ordered Conner, and lying back, he closed his eyes and made out he was sleeping. And that’s what they all did. And because the sun was so warm on their faces, and the water nice, lapping upon the shore, they all forgot about Sammy’s birthmark and went to sleep.

“Then, Henry woke up, hearing something. ‘Putt-puttputt,’ and he sat up straight. Guaranteed it was Sammy’s father come looking for his gun and ten cents. Bawling out to everybody, he jumped off the rock and made for the woods. Sammy was right behind him, but not Conner. No sir, Conner was just sitting up, making out he was still half asleep because, see, he was wanting to get caught, so’s Henry would be made to go home.

“‘You sliveen, get off the rock!’ screamed Henry. The boat was almost in sight by now, and they was almost caught. Running back, Henry grabbed Conner by the scruff and dragged him off the rock and up across the beach into the woods. Then he looked back and seen the gun still lying across the top of the rock in plain sight. Sammy seen it too, and before Henry had a chance to do anything, Sammy was running back to the rock. Grabbing the gun, he pulled it down and ducked with it behind the rock just as the boat cut into sight. And that’s when Henry near fainted. It wouldn’t Sammy’s father after all, coming after them. It was Henry’s mother. Sitting up at the bow, she was, staring as hard as she could at the beach, looking for him.

“Henry’s stomach started getting bad. She looked right sad, she did, sitting there, leaning over the boat, looking for him. She’s gone off head with worry, he was thinking, and she’ll be worse if she gets all the ways up the shore and still haven’t found me.

“Then he seen Conner staring at him, and no sir, he wouldn’t going to let that sliveen see how bad he was feeling.

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