Bookworm

From the hollow, looking up at Hog Ridge Mountain at night, the faint glow from Lottie’s lantern was always visible. It was easy to lose the flickering among the fireflies, but then you realized one glow wasn’t moving

Her pa made her sit outside when she wanted to read, but only after dark when she finished all her chores. He couldn’t read, so had no use for books, and didn’t understand why Lottie would want to waste her time. All she needed to do was keep the cabin scrubbed, and their bellies full.

Once Lottie reached a certain age, Pa said formal schooling was a useless. She didn’t need to know history, or science, or geography. The only math she needed was when she was cooking, or doing laundry. Books just filled her head with silly dreams.

Pa wasn’t a school-smart man, but he was right about Lottie’s books. They transported her to magical places where she could do and be whatever she wanted. She learned about brave men and women, adventurers and heroes.

They sparked a fire in her that couldn’t be quenched.

Their little backwoods town didn’t have a real library, but Mrs. Pettigrew had a parlor full of books she would loan to people. She saw something special in Lottie, and would mail order novels she though the young woman would enjoy.

The day finally came for Lottie to leave the mountain, to find her own adventure. She wasn’t afraid of what was waiting for her , but she was scared of Pa, and what he would say.

“And what would any man want with a woman with book smarts?” Pa slammed his fist own on the dinner table, plates jumping from the blast. “It ain’t like you can get a man on your plain looks alone.”

Any doubts Lottie had vanished with Pa’s sarcasm. He never gave her any encouragement. Since her ma died, he made it painfully clear he regretted not having a son. A daughter, and a smart one at that, was a source of shame for Pa.

Lottie had packed her bag the night before. What few clothes she had, and her precious books were all there was to take. Without a word she shouldered the duffel, and moved toward the door.

Pa step between her and freedom.

“Just what am I supposed to do if you leave?” Pa spat out the words. “Who’s gonna cook and keep this cabin clean?”

Maneuvering around the old man, Lottie pulled on the door handle. Without looking back, she lifted the burning lamp from its peg outside, and descended the porch steps.

“You’re a smart man, you’ll sort it out yourself.” With that, Lottie left Hog Ridge Mountain.