Above the Waterfall Read Online Free Page A

match. When it did, people gave Gerald a wide berth. Yet you never saw that part of him when he was around Becky. Watching him dote on her, and her him, you’d think him the mildest of men. He looked that way now, smiling as we shook hands.
    â€œNice tomatoes,” I said.
    â€œThey ought to be. Becky’s got me fussing over them enough. But she’s near convinced me she’s right. I didn’t dust a bit of Sevin on them. And feature how dark that corn is. I done it without pesticides too.”
    I looked at the field. The shucks had the right coloration, the tassels blond and silky.
    Gerald tapped his chest.
    â€œWhat with this bad ticker, I can’t handle but an acre. Doc Washburn got on me for doing that much. Anyway, those tomatoes are riped up good so carry a few home with you.”
    â€œThanks, but not today.”
    â€œSo what brings you out this way, Sheriff?”
    â€œBecky said that Darby’s had your lawn mower for two weeks.”
    Gerald’s smile disappeared.
    â€œWhat of it?”
    â€œI’m of a mind it’s past time for him to bring it back.”
    Gerald looked down and scuffed up a bit of dirt with his boot toe.
    â€œIf that’s why you come out here, I got nothing to say to you.”
    â€œActually, it’s not, Gerald. You scared a woman at the resort yesterday, bad enough that she packed up and left.”
    â€œI didn’t mean to spook that woman,” Gerald said. “The trail took a curve and of a sudden she was there. Hell, she give me a jolt too.”
    â€œC.J. Gant warned you not to go up there. Tucker’s signs told you the same thing.”
    Gerald’s chin lifted and his gray eyes narrowed.
    â€œWhat about all the times Harold Tucker’s bird watchers and flower sniffers come onto my land? I never rough-talked a one of them.”
    â€œThat may be, but I’m here to tell you the next time you trespass I’ll charge you.”
    â€œSo you’re taking their side?”
    â€œThe only side I’m taking is the law’s. There are other places to fish. Go over to the park and catch your trout there. Becky’s always glad to see you.”
    â€œWho claimed me to be fishing?” Gerald bristled. “Any that says so is a liar.”
    â€œThen why were you up there?”
    As soon as I said it that way, I knew I’d made a mistake. Gerald’s face, his whole body, grew taut.
    â€œI’m not trying to pry into your business, Gerald,” I said. “I’m just wanting to smooth this out, for everyone. C.J. Gant could get in trouble over this. He tried to do you a favor by not reporting you in June.”
    For a few moments Gerald didn’t speak.
    â€œI like to go up above that waterfall and look at them specks,” Gerald finally said. “That water’s so clear you can see every dot on them. It ain’t about nothing but setting on a rock and watching them.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear,” I said. “I’m glad you weren’t poaching, but I’m afraid that still doesn’t change anything. Tucker wants you to stay off his property and that’s his right.”
    Gerald’s fingers began rubbing his palms. He’d spent his life trying to figure out problems with his hands instead of with words, even so far as to build his son a house when William left for the Persian Gulf War. I’d always thought Gerald building the house was a sort of wordless prayer to ensure William’s future—as if his son had to have a future if a house awaited him. But William hadn’t come back. I’d been right behind the fire trucks the day Gerald had gotten the news about William. By then all that could be done was keep the fire from spreading. Gerald had been sitting on the ground, a charred door frame and empty kerosenecan in front of him. Sparks had singed his shirt and arms but he didn’t move or make a sound. No one could get him