Fields Of Gold Read Online Free

my age, a freckled, redheaded girl with a father who drank and a mother who was too sickly to make sure her daughter’s dresses were as clean and well-starched as they might have been. Ruby’s red hair was no lie. Her short temper and general lack of interest in schoolwork meant the teacher frequently assigned her long punishments writing “I will nots” on the chalkboard. None of this curbed Ruby’s behavior, but she did come to have the prettiest handwriting in school.
    Not long after my humiliation with Clarence Parker, Ruby was in disgrace yet again and stood at the blackboard scratching out her latest penance while I read about Dorothy’s trials in Oz. The teacher was distracted by some argument on the playground. While her back was turned, Ruby drew a caricature of Clay Parker puckered up to kiss a pig he held in his arms; the pig was squirming away with a face of chalky disgust. A balloon over its head read, “I wouldn’t kiss ClareDUNCE for Five Dollars!!!!”
    I covered my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Ruby shushed me, but her eyes twinkled in fun. When the dismissal bell rang, she walked me home and we talked the whole way about what a fool Clarence Parker was. From that day and forever after we were fast friends, two outcasts united against the world.
    That day, as she always did when we went walking, Ruby slowed her pace to mine. That was one of the things I liked about her. Normally, Ruby trotted everywhere, like she was hurrying home to a good meal, but the minute we were together she fell into my pace, meandering next to me as though it were her natural speed. I slipped my hand into hers, and we walked together in perfect rhythm.
    When we were far enough away from the house so no one could hear, Ruby started peppering me with questions. “Tell me all about him! What’s he like? Is he handsome? I heard he looks like a movie star. Were you scared when you rode in the plane? I would be! What did your mama say when he landed in your yard?”
    â€œLanded in the yard? Ruby, you really are a goose. He landed in the field. I’ve never even seen his plane, let alone ridden in it. I barely know him at all. He came and had dinner once, but he spent the whole time talking with Papa about crops and engines. I’ve never even spoken to him.” There was no use trying to explain to her how I really felt. She would insist on details and conversations and facts, things you could only feel with your skin on. I couldn’t tell her that sometimes you can know a person inside and out without ever having passed a word between you. How could I explain? A week before I wouldn’t have understood myself.
    â€œWell, you’re practically famous now.” Ruby nodded sagely. “Everybody says he landed right in your front yard, almost hit the henhouse, and that he’s been staying with your family and gave you all rides to pay for his keep. I was coming out of Garland’s store yesterday and a bunch of the girls from school practically jumped on me asking me was it true that he was actually sleeping in the room next to you and that he took you flying every night. They were excited, but Mary Kay Munson was pea-green jealous! She said she didn’t believe a word, that something like that could never happen to ...”
    Ruby blushed, embarrassed to have nearly blurted out whatever ugly name Mary Kay had called me. Poor Ruby. She was in such a rush she didn’t always stop to think before she spoke. I pretended not to notice her stammering.
    â€œI just can’t stand Mary Kay,” Ruby grumbled. “She thinks she’s the queen of Dillon or something.”
    â€œWell, if I were going to be made queen I hope I’d be queen of someplace better than Dillon. What did you tell her?” I enjoyed the idea of the other girls being envious of me. If they were, it was surely a first.
    Ruby smiled and opened her eyes wide with innocence.