Rebel Soul (2 page)

CHAPTER TWO

Tues 5th June

“I hate housework,” Emily thought, as she picked up a plate and dropped it into the dishwater, then rolled her eyes as she remembered her Mom’s words, twisting her mouth a little as she mouthed them, “You have to do your chores Emily” I want adventure, she almost shouted as she picked up another plate and tossed it into the dishwater. The water splashing onto the counter and the front of her shirt. Dam-it I feel isolated in this stupid little farming town, like I’m suffocating, she thought to herself. As she washed the plate in her hand. She thought about her plans of leaving for collage after graduation, as she finished washing the dishes. One more year Emily, she told herself, one more year, you can make it. She raised her fist in the air, then headed to her room.

     Now that school was out for the summer, Emily looked forward to morning walks and setting around the pond or creek, reading one of her many love stories. She put on a pair of cut-off shorts and a tee-shirt then walked over to the dresser and looked at herself in the mirror, making a face as she lifted her hair even with her shoulders, and thought again about having it cut into one of the more stylish haircuts she had seen the girls at school wear. Her hair was so long and thick, sometimes after drying it for what seemed like forever it would still be wet in the middle, come the next morning. She liked the chestnut color that laid in waves down her back though, it seemed to match her dark brown eyes and she feared having it cut would change her looks too much. “You’re a big chicken Emily” She said shaking her head, then picked up a rubber band and pulled her hair up in a ponytail that set high on her head. She grabbed the latest book she had been reading off her nightstand, then headed out of her bedroom and walked down the stairs.

“Bye Mom” she shouted then stepped out the front door, walking toward the woods, the only place she thought she really felt alive.

     The leaves on the large oak and maple trees were green, the smell of the woods was fresh, as squirrels ran then jumped from tree to tree above her. When she reached the creek, that separated the Johnson, Canton land, she inhaled taking deep breathes of the fresh air, then took off her flip flops and dipped her feet in the clean, flowing water. It felt good and cool as it drifted across her feet running, steadily downhill.

     She heard voices coming from further down the creek. She tilted her head and listened for a minute and figured it was the Johnson boys gathering water for their pot patch. She had heard them there before and typically turned to head the opposite direction. She wasn’t about to get caught around someone’s pot patch. That was one way to get killed fast. Pot was a hazard of walking in these woods, most all of the farms in the area she lived in, had a patch or two on the property.

Her curiosity getting the best of her though, she decide this time to walk quietly toward the voices. She looked around her, as she wondered how to do it without getting discovered. Hu, she thought as she looked at the water in front of her then decided it would be safer to wade in the loud, running, creek, then to chance walking on the ground where she might step on a twig or rattle the leaves. Good ideal Emily she told herself.

As she waded slowly and softly toward the voices, she stopped a few times, careful not to splash the water. Emily felt the anxiety building inside her and almost turned back a few times, but she felt the urge to go on. As she got closer, she could see them in the distance, the Johnson boys, with some old milk jugs. They were laughing as they filled the jugs with water from the creek. It was just four of them Billy, Ed, John and Jr, she had never known Jr's real name. He was the youngest next to Billy he was her age, seventeen and cute. They were all cute she thought, but Billy, she took in a breath at the thought of even his name. She had felt him looking at her, a lot over the years. His gaze hot on her skin.

She stopped a few feet from them and hid behind a large oak tree and continued to watch as Billy took his shirt off, slinging it across his shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched his strong, lean, muscular body on display in front of her. She let her eye’s roam across his body and watched him laughing with his brothers. The sight of him in front of her send a wave of heated emotions that touched her in ways she could have never imagined. He was cute, cute she repeated in her mind. She yearned to know him, even touch him. His charisma attracted her like she had never been attracted to anyone, never like this. She stepped out from behind the tree a little, thinking of heading back, when Billy looked her way and she quickly leaped back behind a tree hearing a dead tree limb snap under her feet. She flatten herself quickly behind the tree and hoped no one had seen or heard her.

     "Did you hear that?" Jr ask his brothers, and they all stopped what they were doing, and froze.

     "Yea I did" she heard Billy’s brother John say.

     "I bet it’s one of those Canton boy's bend on stealing our patch again this year." Ed added, with a knowing smile on his face.

"It was a squirrel guys. Why are you being so jumpy?" Billy ask as he glanced her way, then she slowly pepped from behind the tree and watched as he lifted his arm over his head as if he were posing and showing his body off to her. She felt herself almost laugh but stifled it, and knew he had seen her. She flattened herself behind the tree again and listened as Billy spoke,

"If you boys can move your eyes, a minute, I've gotta relive myself,” she heard Billy say with a smile pointed toward her direction.

“Shit” she mouthed and closed her eyes, but only for a second, then she peeked from behind the tree again.

"Just don't contaminate the water," Jr laughed.

“Oh my, gosh,” Emily whispered. As she watched Billy unbutton his pants, in front of her. Her heart begin racing, as she watched Billy unbutton his pants, in front of her. He slowly lowered his pants, his eye’s never leaving hers. She was caught in his gaze, frozen in time. Just as he started to pull his boxers down he turned his butt in her direction and shook it a little. Emily put her hand over her heart and sighed a sigh of relive, but didn't turn her eye's away. Oh no she was going to watch this show. She had grown up in a house full of brothers but had never seen a mans necked butt before, and she was quite enjoying the show Billy was putting on for her, as he bend over slightly and wiggled again. Emily wasn't sure if he was trying to get her killed or show off for her, and didn’t know if she could keep from laughing or not.

"Billy what the hell are you doing, you got a girl hid off in these woods, bro," she heard Ed ask laughing, her heart suddenly dropped to her knees, as the thought crossed her mind that she was caught, and she flattened herself against the tree again.

Billy laughed, "Hell no, just trying not to contaminate the water, Bro."

“I bet it’s that Canton girl, he eyed all year when he picked me up from school.” Jr said raising his head toward Billy. Her heart began to race at his words, did Jr see me she thought.

“Emily Canton, you really are suicidal, Billy, you whore, you want her brothers after you, willing to start a war over some pussy. Hell Billy,” Ed told him as they all laughed. Emily remained frozen with her hand over her mouth still trying to stifle a laugh, then peeked around the tree again, as Billy, smiled over his shoulder at her, and let out a little laugh.

“You really think she would go out with you Billy, pretty little thing like that, you’re crazy” John said. Billy glanced her way, “Want to make a bet John?”

Emily looked into his eyes, as they stared at her. She was overcome with the deep feeling, she could see inside his soul. ”Split it” she mouthed at him, and moved her hands like she was tearing apart a dollar bill.

He laughed “I’ll bet you a hundred dollars John” his sly grin pointed over his shoulder toward her again.

"You got a bet Billy, I hope you have a hundred dollars" John said, laughing.

Billy laughed, “I hope you do to John.” She smiled at his words.

"You know dads dog didn't come home last night," Ed looked around at his brothers, as he leaned against a tree, "I bet those Cantons killed it,” he continued.

"Well Ed, maybe" Billy said as he wiggled his butt at Emily, one more time and glanced over his shoulder again smiling, before pulling his boxers up. Then he lifted his arms above his head as if stretching and turned his head to the side smiling in her direction, again. She shook her head in approval and smiled back.    "Let’s go boys," John said, as they picked up the jugs of water, and walked back towards their place, Billy turned her way one more time and blew a kiss her way.

She watched as they headed through the woods, back toward the Johnson place. Her heart was pounding so loud, she feared that they could hear it. "Did Billy Johnson, really put a show on for me, and did I just agree to go out with him, for my share of a hundred dollars?" She laughed and ask herself. Emily waited for them to get far enough ahead, then she walked back through the woods toward her house, forgetting about reading the book she held in her hand. As she thought about Billy and his sweet smile, he was eighteen, a year older than her, but she didn’t think that mattered, she did want to date him. She also had Ed's words on her mind about the dog, she was sure he was right, as she remembered Josh and the shovel the day before, even though, Ed had the biggest mouth of all the Johnson boys, he was always arguing and fighting with her brothers, especially her brother Josh. You name it, they fought about it and violently hated each other. They were about the same age she figured.

As she come off the path her mind was so lost in thought, she didn’t even realize her brother Joe was standing in front of her till she ran right smack into him. “Dam Emily, where was your mind at.” He laughed. She laughed with him. “I don’t know” she answered.

Still laughing, “Oh I know.” He pointed at the book in her hand then continued. “On one of those characters in that book of yours” he teased.

“Sure Joe,” Emily hit him on the shoulder as he took off running. “Joe,” Emily shouted laughing as she ran toward him. “What’s wrong, slow poke.” Joe laughed throwing his arm around her shoulder, as she caught up to him, and they walked toward the house.

Emily walked to her room thinking about the cute Johnson boy, she laughed at herself. She liked him, but he was a family enemy. She heard a car spin out on the road and looked out her window, it was Billy’s mustang. He slowed as he drove by her house looking her direction. “You idiotic.” she said, “A cute idiotic, but an idiotic just then same.” She laughed.

CHAPTER THREE

Wed 6th June

Excited, wouldn’t even describe the way Emily felt this morning. Every Wednesday for as long as she could remember, except when she was in school of course, she had made the trip into town with her Dad. Even though all they did was stop at the Coffee Shop for lunch then walk to the family grocery store that her Uncle Chris ran and chit chat for a while. It was her time with him, just the two of them and she always looked forward to the trip, her being the only girl in the family, she felt like she was her Dad’s favorite, and she liked that feeling.

"You coming Emily?" She heard him shout up the stairs, as she pulled on some cut-off jean shorts. She was trying her best to hurry, she knew once her Dad was ready to go, he didn’t wait on anyone for very long.

    "Yes just let me finish getting dressed" she yelled back, as she heard the front door shut. Shit, please don’t leave me she thought, then quickly pulled a tee-shirt over her head, stuck her feet into her favorite, worn out flip flops, took a quick, look in the mirror and rushed down the stairs taking two at a time.

Jack was already sitting in his truck waiting on her "Let’s go" he said laughing as he put the truck in gear. Emily scrambled in. “I’m ready” she laughed settling in on the comfortable cloth seats, of her Dads new Chevy pickup, as he tuned the radio to the local country station and Kip Moore was soon blaring from the speakers, then pulled out of the driveway onto the dirt road.

The day was beautiful, as they rode down Johnson Canton Road. The name the road had been given years before even her Dad had been born. Emily and her Dad both hummed and sang to the music. She rolled down the window to look out as her hair blew in the wind, and laughed as she tried to pull her hair out of her mouth. She could see the trees and flowers were in full bloom, and could smell the fragrant Dogwoods that lined the road. With fields of dandelions and green grass. The cattle, goats, sheep, and horses grazed in the fields. Emily even saw a few mules, and tractors everywhere, as it always had been this time of year. Then laughed as she watched one of the Adams boys, trying to lead a mule through the field, its stubbornness evident as it sit down, refusing to move.

They soon turned out onto the two lane, paved road and headed toward the small farming town of Chestnut. The town of Chestnut set in the middle of the county, that laid close to the Tennessee/ Kentucky boarder and was mostly made up of small family owned businesses, although over the past few years a few chain stores had moved in, but the small town feel was still very evident, as everybody waved at everybody, happily smiling even at strangers that often traveled through.

The sun was shining, with very little traffic, maybe a car or two, which was common for this part of the county. Emily had to hold her hands over her eyes to shade the sun it was so bright, but still yet she enjoyed the way the sun warmed her skin through the window, and the twenty mile trip to town from the Canton house was for most days a peaceful one. As long as it wasn't raining or snowing. The snow always made the roads slick as hell she thought, as she remembered the time, when her Dads old truck slid almost all the way into town. He couldn’t stop as it slid this way and that, she would look off to the side and think they would slide off into the ditch, then he would turn the wheel and the car would go the other direction. It was scary as hell, and also when it rained the rivers would flood over flowing on to the roads, which washed out all of the small graveled and dirt roads. She had even heard stories but never witnessed it, of family’s having to take a boat to get out of their homes, but Emily wondered how true that was.

As they entered town Emily looked off to the left at the new construction going on, "What are they building their daddy?" she looked at him curiously.

"Not sure, another chain store, I guess. I don't know what’s going to become of this town." he answered her, frowning. Emily knew that her Dad worried about the building of the big chain stores, and was afraid it would cause the small business’s to go under and have to close their doors. This had already happened to a few of the stores in town. Emily shook her head at the thought, remembering the old candy store they used to visit every Wednesday. It was a sad day when she learned of the store closing its doors, but many called it progress. Emily couldn’t understand how the closing of a business could be considered progress.

They soon parked in front of the coffee shop. Emily jumped out of the truck, as she felt her stomach growl with hunger for the regular Wednesday meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn and cornbread. She could see Billy’s Mustang parked across the street in front of the drug store, and looked around but didn’t see Billy anywhere. Why am I looking for him? She asked herself as she followed her dad into the coffee shop of twelve tables, the tables was always set up, coffee cups turned over on saucers, silverware wrapped in napkins, sugar, salt and pepper in the middle of the table all on a blue tablecloth. The coffee shop was always full of the regular crowd, setting around chatting, mostly town gossip, Emily thought, and laughed to herself. Everyone turned around and spoke, “Hey Jack, Emily how’s it going to day,” as they entered the swinging glass door. “Good, how’s it going with you?” Jack shook their hands smiling. Emily smiled at them as she found a seat by the window. The window had a full view that looked out on to the town, and Emily found herself, looking through it for Billy. Where is he she thought to herself? Debbie one of the waitress’s a slim big breasted blond, rushed over to the table, with a glass of tea in each hand.

"Tea guys" she said with a smile and set the glasses in front of them, she pretty much knew everybody’s order before they told her.

"Sure," Jack answered her and two of the lunch special's Deb," he smiled, flirting with her a little, Emily thought and watched the waitress walk off.

Jack looked across the table at Emily as the waitress walked away, “So Emily, what do you plan on doing with your summer?" he laid his arm on the table and asked. She thought a minute, fidgeting about her answer, because she didn’t know what he thought she should do. She hated when he questioned her about her life, suddenly thirsty she took a drink of her tea and answered.

"I don't know, I thought I would study for my SATS, maybe read a little." She shrugged her shoulders, and continued to sip on the tea, I didn’t realize how thirsty I was she thought as she struggled to answer his questions.

"You don't plan on working this summer, Emily, and maybe saving a little money?" He asked, she thought he looked disappointed, as he stared across the table at her. She heard him talking, even seen his lips moving, but out of the corner of her eye she saw Billy putting his tee-shirt on over his tanned, muscles, and talking with a young blond skinny girl across the road, in front of the drug store. She thought her heart might fall out of her body, right then and there, and everybody would know why, as she watched him laughing with the girl. It looked like they were having a good time. Emily felt her cheeks burn as Billy took the girls hand in his. She wanted to get up and walk across the street then tear the girls eye’s out. Then the girl giggled and looked at Billy with, what Emily believed to be overly big goo goo eyes, as they walked into the drug store. Bimbo, slut, Emily though about the girl as she quenched her eyes their way.

"Emily," her dad laughed as he waved his hand in front of her face, then turned his head to see what she was looking at.

"I'm sorry dad, what were you saying?" She asked quickly to get him to turn back her way and hoped he hadn’t noticed who she was staring at across the street. Then chastened herself for her feelings. The waitress but their food on the table, “Can I get you anything else she ask?” Emily was glad for the distraction, of the food.

“No thank you Deb,” Jack told her. “It’s all good” He smiled, then turned back to Emily.

"I was asking you, If you planned on working this summer and saving some money?” he turned his attention back to her. Good he hadn’t seen, Emily thought.

"Oh, no, not this summer." she answered him as she used her fork to play with her food, still watching for Billy and the girl to come out of the drug store.

"Well, ok,” He seemed disappointed.

Dam I don’t want to disappoint him, she thought to herself.

“That is your choice Emily. I just don't want you getting too bored, this summer and I assume studying for your SATS isn't a bad idea” He hesitated “If that’s what you plan on doing,” she watched him take a bite of his cornbread, the crumbs fell on the table and he wiped them away as he continued talking. “You have a good head on your shoulders young lady, that’s a good thing.” He shook his head as if in agreement of her plans. “So you plan on going to college, after you graduate?" he asked as he took a bite of his meatloaf.

"Yes, I do" she answered. Then her voice drifted off as she watched Billy and the blond girl exit the drug store. They stood and talked some more as the girl laughed, her cheeks blushing a bright pink color. Emily felt a fire of anger starting in her heart, as he
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mind begin to race and she stared at him, wishing it was her, he was causing to blush.

    "Where are you planning on going?" Emily heard her dads voice asking.

"I, um, I don't know yet," she stuttered and watched as the girl walked down the sidewalk away from Billy, twisting her butt, a little overly fake Emily decided.

"Well that’s a big decision, Emily" Jack told her, "Let’s go by your uncles and get the supplies." He added as he stood and headed to the register.

As they left the store, she looked back toward the drug store and watched as Billy stood in front of his car, he glanced her way and smiled, then waved. She silently laughed, but then she felt her nerves turn her stomach and thought she could taste the meatloaf as it came up into her throat, when her Dad ask,

“Emily, is something going on between you and that Boy?”

“No Dad” she answered honestly, but is it she thought.

“Well Emily, that’s good, because I’d hate for one of your brothers, to kill one of those Johnsons. Let’s not start a war this summer.” Jack told her as they walked into, her Uncle Chris’s store. I can’t wait to get out of this county, Emily thought.

As she listened to her Dad and uncle talk. Emily watched as Billy drove past, she noticed his car slow as he drove in front of the store, and he glanced inside. What am I going to do about him? She silently ask herself.