Page 2 of In the Dust

Our conversation is interrupted by the ring of my phone. I pull it out and my stomach drops when I see the name flash on the screen: Virginia Payne.

I look to Valencia with an apologetic frown. “It’ll just be a minute.” I retreat into my tiny room, a million thoughts whirling in my mind as to why Virginia would be calling me.

I answer, taking in a deep breath, “Hey, Virginia. Is everything okay?”

“There’s been an accident on the farm.”

An uneasy feeling settles over me. “Is … is Grandpa, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, he’s fine.”

I anxiously start biting my nails. “You don’t sound too certain.”

“No honey, he’s alright … but he hurt himself.”

“I can grab the next flight.” I stare at the clothes folded on my bed. “How long should I pack for? … A week?”

There’s a long pause. Then, “No, Dixie May, you’re going to need to pack for the summer.”

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