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"Reading Nook"

An Appalachian memoirs story

By Kantuck Nadie Nata-akon

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Changing clothes again! Ug, I hated this. Wake up, put on my Sunday best and polished shoes to go to church. Then dirty jeans, and work boots for hours of chores. All the while my mind was on only one thing; the huge tome I just picked up right after church when I waved down the book mobile.. So when it was time for to cover my lanky tomboyish frame. The dirty jeans was shed for high, cut-off shorts, work boots for sneakers, and to top it off the dirty white shirt left for a tight blue one. My mother, of course, took one look and demanded a different shirt. A loose t-shirt with a picture of Burt Reynolds in a cowboy hat over the tight under-shirt shut her mouth. Before anything else happened, I was out the door lugging the book in one hand and trying to tie my lengthy hair into a loose pony tail with the other. I just knew if I stayed even a moment more someone else would catch me for another round of something else. I wanted out!

My feet was moving toward one goal. Down the gravel road from my house and up a steep and narrow dirt road was this place I found when I was six years younger. It was my hideaway, my sanctuary from all of my family, and friends. Where I could sit and chew on a red-clover or fox-tail. Let my mind wander, or nose deep in a book.

The road was also a green, leafy tunnel with few homes, and fewer people. Which made it a surprise when the rhythmic thumps of a horse began to echo from the top of the hill. I met the horse, and his rider just when I cleared the plateau. The rider, a boy of about my age, just moved here two months ago. Outside of school it's hard to meet new people so I wasn't sure of him. With a whoa, the horse snorted loudly and paused.

"Howdy!" apparently had a stick of gum stuck in his mouth, but he did tip his hat at me.

"Morning! That's a fine horse you got there, what's his name?" I inquired, as I was stroking the animals' soft head-fur, and black nose.

"Oh this heres Travis. Pappy let me take him for a ride after chores."

I made baby language at the steed, "Travis hm? You need a proper name, what say you being 'Black Beauty'?" I asked him, thinking of one of my favorite stories.

Surprisingly the horse looked at me, nickered, then rubbed his head against me. I giggled and held onto the big head.

The boy grinned. "He likes you. You gotta way with horses."

I look up at him, with a grin that went from ear to ear. "Yeah animals are my friends. Gotta few over at my place too. Mine is a bit lame at the moment, so I'm lettin' her rest for a spell."

I look up at him, with a grin that went from ear to ear. "Yeah animals are my friends. Gotta few over at my place too. Mine is a bit lame at the moment, so I'm lettin' her rest for a spell."

He nodded, "Uh, do you live round here? I haven't seen ya before."

"Oh yeah, just down the way, I gotta new book and headin for my readin' spot."

His eyes nearly fell out of his head when he saw the book I was carrying. "You read THAT?"

"It'll take a few days is all." I remark with pride. Having a near-photographic memory, especially when it comes to text, is a help.

"Gosh almighty girl, I couldn't read that in a year!"

I just laugh, and kiss the horse' nose. "He's silly, isn't he?" I ask him playfully. A loud snort is all I get from that, "Ew!" I exclaim, and laugh, as I wipe horse blow, off my shirt.

"Hey, I gotta go back before pappy gets mad. But are you free next week?" I can hear the hopefulness in his voice.

I had to act cool even when I looked up into his Elvis Presley blue eyes. "Yeah, I think I can let you into my schedule for a bit. Come by Monday and see what I'm doing ok?"

The flash of a grin was replaced by bit of confusion on his face. "Ok! Com'on Travis" he said they walked on. I waved to both and headed back up the hill

The last place on the road, a small wood cabin, was owned by a bear of a man. He chewed mail-pouch, cursed, brewed moonshine, and had a .22 fowling piece to keep revenuers and low life's away. Rumors have it many a person who visited his place disappeared off the face of the earth. But at the same time, he could sing the blues as any good blues-man down south, and take you away with one of his stories.

But when I came up to the old wood cabin, he was sitting on his front porch, with his coon-hound, Rufus. Who was sleeping on the chair beside him.

"Mornin' Mt. Joe!" I greeted him playfully.

"Well! Is that you, Claire? Good morning to you!" Rufis jumps up, all a wiggle. Panting, then giving his signature howl.

"Yeah, it's me. Just had a hankerin' for reading some, in my reading nook." I squat down, patting my knees with smacks, "Rufus! Let me see ya, you old dog you." He takes one look at Mt. Joe, who says "Go get 'er!" I fall to my rump, laughing as I'm tackled by a squirming happy hound.

A moment later, thoroughly licked and needing to get up, I distract Rufus with some of my home-made beef jerky.

"When ya come back honey, I'll have somethin' for ya!" Mt Joe offered.

"Maybe some of your home made Mt. Dew, Joe?"

"Naw...yer too young, honey! Maybe iffin you was in your 20s or so I'd give ya a sip."

"Oh foo! Your no fun!" I stamped a foot, then laughed, "Howsen bout another of yer stories then?"

His eyes twinkled, and a big grin with that gold tooth appeared on his dark-complexed face "Count on it!"

Of all things, I was thrilled hearing another of Joe's stories, or hearing him play. He knew only a few dozen or so songs by heart. But stories? It's like an endless pool of them. He was no Dickens, mind you. But to me and the rest of the kids in school. He was a delight. A few times, my spiritual grandmother; an older Cherokee woman called "Fights With Bears" and he would compete for best story. Of course it ALWAYS came out in a draw.

I loved teasing him about his Mt. Dew, or Moonshine as some called it. I would never touch the stuff, seeing too many people being sick, blinded, or so addicted to it as nothing but their next drink was all that mattered to them. Of course another ugly rumor abound, where he used some of his own hooch to strip the paint off the 55 cherry red Chevy he restored, and <I>nothing would grow, where the demon rum dripped off.</I>. There is also some of the truly deadly outcomes such as lead contamination, "Lead burns red and makes you dead" Joe told me countless times as he showed me how to brew his Tennessee white whiskey . I knew better!

I wave, since the book was growing heavy, and he waved back. Rufus burned up all his energy and all he had for me was a bit of a 'slap, slap, slap' of a tail-wave. I thought back in the book mobile the nice librarian asking me "It's quite a big book, sure you want to read it?" But the elderly librarian suddenly remembered "Oh bless me, I shouldn't ask. I remember the day when you sat down at the desk in the morning and left after reading all of Bullfinch Mythology.". I smiled proudly of that, as I scratched my name on the library card, within the book. "Yes'em! and I've read it several times since 'hen."

The end of the road. Many would just turn around, much like Travis, and his rider for gravel did give way to a wall of green brush, trees, and grape vines, all intertwined in an intimate embrace. However to my experienced eyes there was a slightly darker area in the green. The ground below was brown, and the brush wasn't quite as solid looking. A doorway of a trail, with dirt packed hard over generations so even English ivy's pause outlines a narrow trail. Leaves, and twigs snap and crunch as I push though heading for the light. Almost darkness, gives way to dappled light, then with a blinding burst, the scent of rotting wood, old water, and algae greets my nose.

The small pond, somewhat green with algae is an oases in the forest. My secret place to get away from family, friends, and life. A soft gurgle on my left, is small waterfall that feeds the pond but was only a trickle due to the drought plaguing the area. A quick survey shows the rocky seat I made so long ago, in addition to a tree that crashed down sometime last year.

In the middle of the pond, the rocky island was the sunning area for a trio of turtles. Bright red eyes on dark green skin regard me warily. Far meters away, they was in no danger from me even if I meant them harm. I did recognize one of them. Long ago I met this old guy, with his misshaped shell, but with his non-recognizing eyes just stared at me while I started taking off my sneakers and socks.I slipped my feet into the water and sighed. The loving friendly touch of the slimy algae laced water between my toes, made it so worth coming here.

I was in Hobbiton, just a few hours before Mr. Baggins' one hundred and eleventy-first birthday celebration. when an unexpected visitor came to the town. A brilliant green damselfly touched down on the page, and the water dragon tilted it's head at me seemly contemplating what I am. I smile at the insect then watch him fly off with a rattle of his wings. I finally just went back with Frodo and with the appearance of Gandalf time once again stopped.

It may have been the sudden quieting down of the bullfrogs, and spring peepers but I looked up just in time. For sneaking out of the brush on the far side was a legend around the parts. Black tufted ears, a gray coat, and a small bobbed tail grabbed my attention immediately. The small cat saw or heard me gasp, and both of us froze. While I sat there, with my mouth open in complete amazement, and reverence, the bobcat just drank for several minutes before turning and melting into the brush once again.

Only after several minutes did the woolgathering I was doing lift. The bullfrog blorped once again, and the spring peeper squeaked and soon everything was back to normal.

Then I kicked myself fervently...

"I can't believe I left my camera!" I sulked back to Gandalf, listening to he and Bilbo discussing the grand party, and the joke he was going to play on the hobbits.

As time time flew by along with the pages. I was right along with Frodo and Sam as they came to the Prancing pony. I immediately looked up when the trees being to crackle, and move. For a brief moment, I was still in Bree, and I expected to see Merry and Pippin burst from the corn and run into Sam, and Frodo! "Merry, look! It's Frodo Baggins" I thought I would hear from this huge bear that had appeared!

Then I giggled, and grinned. For that towering bear, had a snow-white beard, and a big, gold-toothed smile. "Evening, little lady. Don't you have somewhere to go?" For it was just my friend, Mt. Joe!

Suddenly, it dawned upon me, for the sun was nearly setting! "Oh no! Pappy's gonna be mad! I was suppose to only go for a couple of hours." I was near panic. Although my father wasn't an abusive man, I did not wish to give any of them undo alarm. The story had taken me in for easily five hours. In my panic, I forget to bookmark it and nearly drop it in the water.

He just chuckles, sits beside me and puts his big arm around me. A smell of liqueur, and tobacco comes from him, but I can't help calm and lean into him. "So this is yer reading hole, hm?" he asks.

"How'd ya know where this is? I can barely make it though the trail, being short as I am."

He just laughed, "Honey, there is nothing I don't know of my lands. I made this here pond when I first bought it, after th' war." he smiled down at me, "You and I are like. We need to get away from people, a' times"

I had to agree with him. Even when I was younger I had to be with myself for awhile. Brothers can drive you insane, mother and father constantly talking; after awhile it becomes noise. That may be the major reason that animals, insects, planets and of course looking up into the sky late at night was so enjoyable. I kept thinking; "What is around those stars? Planets? Trantor?

"What cha reading, honey?" As I lift the book up and he takes it from my small hands, he just breaks into a grin. "Oh Lord of the Rings! Great book! " thumbing though it quickly, he mentions "You got here a bound library book; Fellowship, Two Towers, Return of the king. Nothin' missin' too." When he returns it to me, "Did ya know I met Tolkien? Shipped to Britain before D-Day..."

Of course at times I wasn't sure if he was spinning a tale, or telling the truth. But I was always entertained nonetheless and like always I was mesmerized by the way he could make my imagination create movies in my mind.

My first realization of the time was alerted by the growing darkness. But he alleviate my concerns when he told me. "Com'on, you can stay atta my place 'nite. I got beans, and turnips chopped, and hog fries, and you ken call yer folks to tell 'em that you was helping me out and we plum forget the time, ok?"

Well, it was true I was looking for some avenue of escape from this problem I had read myself into. So If he was willing to help me, who was I to say no? I stood, yawned and stretched, "Ok! Lead the way" Then I giggled softly, "My butt's gonna be sore 'morrow."

He just laughed, and took my hand. "At least it won't be sore from a lickin'. Com'on, I'll learn ya 'nother way here" and so the bear, and the sheep walked though an opening that was just lightly covered with branches. But once past that, it was blazed well, I found however, the trail was a maze too. He deliberately cut out the trail in this way to make it hard for anyone to get to my - our reading hole.

We came out on the main road, nearly a quarter mile from the pond, while we talked about the new book. Surprisingly the boy I passed earlier, was riding by, and he whistled at me. Joe told me that he'll meet me at his shack. I could hear him chuckling to himself "Young Lovers". I just snerked at him.

"Hey why ya followin' Mt. Joe?" He asked as he stopped the horse. I told him my reasons, as I stroked Travis, or Black Beauty's nose as I knew him.

"He's a friend. It's too late to go home so I'm going home with him and staying all night."

"What? Girl, he's a creep. Stay away from 'em"

Now that was the wrong thing to say to me "What, and your not? I retorted.

"You gotta dirty mouth on you, girl."

I glared up at him, "Sweetheart, I gotta dirty ass from sitting on the ground. Yer gonna get your lips dirty too, when you kiss it! You oughta feel privileged cause I'm letting you talk to me!"

"Now why are you being so mean to me? I just wanted to help ya."

"I don't need no help, specially from a boy! I'd known Mt. Joe since I was crawling round on mamma's floor. You just moved here a year go!"

I backed off a bit as he jumps off the horse. The horse snorted softly looking at him. However I could see the horse was irritated. "Let go, ya ujonata!" I snarl loudly, as he grabs my arm roughly.

He let go but stared at me. "What'ca call me? I'm trying to learn ya!. Mt. Joe's strange. Little girl like you needs to stay away from 'im."

"I called ya a rattlesnake, you dumb hick!" My temper burns and older boy or not I don't take lightly to friends being insulted. Without even thinking, my fist darts out and although I don't have the strength to really put a blow on his jaw, still it's something.

He staggers back, holding his jaw with blood leaking from his lip. "What cha do that fer? I didn't mean nothing!"

I had squatted down in a fighting stance. "Don't you ever go insulting my friends again!" I stood there staring at him for a moment and I swear I thought I started seeing tears in his eyes.

But as quickly as he had dismounted, he climbs back on Beauty, "See if I care if he kills ya!" he yells as he he rides away in a huff.

I get back to Joe's shack. By this time I'm starting to shake. My adrenalin was wearing off and I now know what happened. "Joe!" I yelled. The scent of corn-meal encrusted pig fries frying in ham grease in an iron skillet, an earthy smell of beans bubbling in the pot greeted me before Rufus clicked-clicked into the room. He growled loudly, but as soon as he knew me his ears perked and his stance immediately went submissive. I drop to my knees and hug the hound. With squeaks of old floorboards Joe walks in

"What's wrong, Claire?" he asks. "Did that boy cause you problems? " he then grins, "Or is his lip bleedin'?"

I look at him for a second then start laughing, "Yeah, he ain't gonna insulting' you anymore. Not less he want's to loose some teeth, next time!"

He just laughs, "Com'on. Have some grub, and sweet tea."

Just before we eat, I call my folks and get my spiritual grandmother on the phone. She says she'll tell everyone quickly and to thank Joe for keeping me safe. After dinner he plays his old acoustic guitar, sings some blues, then tells me yet another story. I think he ended it but the next thing I know I'm awaking with Rufus laying beside me on the extra cot that Joe put me on. But I also awake hurting. "Joe!" I cried, as I tried to move. I couldn't for I felt like I was on fire, in hell.

He came running in, dressed in nothing but shorts. "Oh Claire honey, you got you a bad burn"

It was obvious that the sun had baked me. My beat-red hands and arms, and fiery red legs with blisters dotting them. I was near tears when I cried out "Whatta I gonna do?"

"Hang on, I'll get the vinegar." Rufus wined softly not sure what was going on but he went on the defense as Joe appeared again with a bottle of homemade vinegar, and cheesecloth. His feather-soft touches, born from his time in WWII still stung as he patted the pickling liquid up and down my legs, arms and face. Very soon I smelled like a dill pickle but the miracle did work. I wasn't hurting, and now at least I could move some. Breakfast came quickly too. Bacon, eggs, red-eye gravy, and briskets so light they'd float away if they wasn't tied down. Slowly I ate since it wasn't exactly pleasant to chew but I managed.

Another call to my parents, explaining now what the new developments was, but I would be home in no time. When Joe drove me home, I walked like a zombie out of the movie, "Night of the Living Dead". At the moment I wish I was, for it was all I could do not to cry, or cry out. But book in hand I walked in, and my spiritual grandmother peaked out from a room.

She took a look at me, "Boy you got it good."

I held off making a joke about being darker than her at the moment, I wasn't quite in a jovial mood. "Yeah" I said sourly.

The older Cherokee woman sniffed smelling the vinegar "At least Joe had the good sense'a to pickle you. After lunch I'll mix up a batch of my burn salve when I go get some of the plants in the woods."

I couldn't help but to smile a bit "I'd hug ya grams. But'a hurts too much now"

She dismissed me with a wave of her hand. "Whatta I tell ya about reading too much, hm?"

I couldn't help but to giggle at that. She should joke, she is the one, who introduced me to books, and writing.

"Oh and you'ens got a visitor, in the livin' room"

I felt an unease at that, I didn't get visitors often and chances are it was a teacher was upset about something. I thought around for what I might have done, who's lip I bloodied, and the like.

I peeked in and mother was laughing and joking with a man. He, I didn't recognize but the sandy-haired teen age boy I did. It was Travis' or Black Beauty's rider, so this had to be his father. Oh no... Now, I was hoping that with my current injuries, I would get some of the sympathy vote, maybe I'd only get life plus 25, not the death penalty.

"Mornin' sir". I said politely. I couldn't look the rider, but I look to my mother, "Uh... momma, 'bout last night."

She gasped softly, "Great lawd, Claire. You've been burned alive!, Go ask Bears for some of her burn salve " she interrupted, and the man didn't say anything. But I could tell from his face he hurt with me. His boy however looked like a dog that had been whipped.

"She already saw me, momma. Said she'd be going to get some of the plants and slather it on after lunch."

"Good, good. Oh Claire This gentleman wanted to talk with you." She noted, as she moved a hand to him.

He smiled, the same sandy hair on his son was on his head; a bit thinner in direct opposite of the thicker girth he possessed. He nudged the boy, "Go ahead." he ordered.

At first the boy didn't look up, but finally. "Uh...I'm sorry 'bout last night. I wasn't thinkin' too good." When he did glance up, he noticed my burns which turned him completely around, "Really, I'm sorry. It wasn't right. I'd like to make it up to ya."

Suddenly I noticed his hand and arm was bandaged. "What happen to yer arm?" I exclaimed. I was sure he wasn't dressed like that the first time I met him.

"Lookin' like my boy gotta hold of some poison ivy". The man's voice was soft, and gravely, but emphasized the statement with a chuckle "Seems it also socked him in the jaw."

My face immediately went beet red even though no one could see it due to the burn matching my hair. "Uh..." It was my time to look down now. "About that, sir. I'm ..."

He just raised his hand and grinned. "Honey it's ok. Boy needs to learn how ta properly treat weemen. If'a takes a sock in the jaw, then he'll be seeing the doc too."

"Thank ya sir." 1 looked down, shuffling a foot a bit (painfully).

"Claire, can'ya go get our gentlemen som'em to drink?"

The boy jumped up, "Claire, canna I help you, seein' your all sore and all?"

I smiled; as best I could when you consider my face was also sore, "Sure! Com'on, what's your poison?" I asked as he came to my side.

"Got any pop or mebby some sweet tea?" he asks hopefully.

"Well, if you'd be a fine gentleman, I think'in I could whip up a pitcher." I grin at him, and I swear he blushed a bit!

As we arrive in the kitchen and I start bringing things together, "I'm guessin' you got some of the poison when you grabbed ma arm?" He was involuntary rubbing his sore lip with his top lip, "Yeah I take ivy pretty easy, never oak though. I heard it's worse."

"No, sunburns' worse" I mention a bit painfully.

"Yeah, I know." he smiles.

After a moment, as I stirred the tea, the ice clacking against the glass, I ask out of the blue as he looks at me. "Friends?"

He blinks as I again catch him off guard, "Huh? Oh! yeah."

"I'd shake yer hand but could'd we do that nother time?"

He grinned, "Yeah I'd like that." Then after a moment, I asked "Oh, What's cer name?"

"Jefferson, but you can call me Jeff"

" Nice cha meet ya Jeff. We got offa on the wrong foot it sounds"

"Yeah, but you got a nasty right hook. Who learned you that?"

"Oh that," I dismissed easily. "When your the youngest of 5, and the only girl, you learn mighty quick where you are on the peckin' order.

"So your on top of the order?"

I just laughed. "Yeah, took a few swings to make it too. " I grinned and he mirrored that as I stirred the tea.

A moment's pause made a serious turn, "Uh...the ivy, did ya get that too?" he asked as he looked at my dressings.

I shook my head, "I usta play with it, and oak both when I was a youngin'. Bears told mamma to let me do that, so I won't take it whena I got older. She said the deer eat ivy all the time 'cause their momma's teach the fawns to eat it too."

"Boy I wish I'd knownin' that. I musta played in oak though. Never hada problem there"

"Sorry for that Jeff. I really didn't know I'd gotten into ivy" I said, sincerely. I knew of some with such a sensitivity that they would require shots less they go into anaphylactic shock.

He nodded, "Tea's ready, can ya get the cans?" I asked, which he gratefully did.

We headed back to the living room, "Here we come!" I yelled to the grownups, with Jeff right behind me.

-- Fin --