Free Westward Skies by Zoe Matthews

shuffled her feet in the dirt, trying to decide what was more important, her fear of the dog or her desire to be tough for her father. She sighed in defeat.  “Will you be with me when I tell him?”
     
    Lizzie nodded, feeling relieved that Jessica finally agreed.  “Yes, I will be with you the entire time.” 
     
    When they arrived at the farm, Lizzie could see the floor needed to be swept and mopped and the stove wiped down.  She also saw that Jessica had done her best to keep things clean.  All the dishes were washed and the table was clean. 
     
    She showed Jessica how to make a simple meal of fried potatoes and scrambled eggs.  When Austin came into the house, she made sure her nerves were steady before she turned to face him.
     
    He was very dusty and sweaty.  She could tell he had been working hard all day.  He removed his cowboy hat to reveal a rim on his hair.  “Hello, Lizzie.”
     
    She almost whispered a hello back to him and tried to look away from his gaze, but could not.  This was one of the reasons she had stayed away so long, this pull she seemed to have towards him.
     
    “Dinner smells good,” he said as he hung his hat on a hook by the door. 
     
    Lizzie quickly helped Jessica get the food to the table.  After a prayer was said, they all enjoyed the simple meal, although Jessica had been quieter than usual.  When the meal was over, Lizzie looked at Jessica and then at Austin. 
     
    “Before you go back out to work, Jessica has something to tell you,” Lizzie nodded towards the child who was sitting on a kitchen chair swinging her feet.  She wouldn’t look at either her pa or Lizzie.
     
    “Tell me what, Jess?  What’s up?” Austin asked.
     
    “It’s about the Fosters’ dog,” Jessica almost whispered the words.
     
    “That crazy dog?  What about him?”
     
    Jessica lifted her head to look at Lizzie who nodded her head in encouragement.  “I’m scared of him, Pa.  I’m afraid he’s going to bite me.”
     
    Austin glared at Lizzie.  “Is this your idea? You are encouraging her to be afraid of him.”
     
    Lizzie glared right back.  “Jessica, why don’t you go outside and play with your puppy for a few minutes.”
     
    Jessica looked at her pa and then at Lizzie, then sighed and picked up the dog and left the house, letting the screen door slam behind her. 
     
    Lizzie opened her mouth to talk, but Austin cut her off.
     
    “I told you I don’t want her afraid of things. That dog is all bluff.  He’s the type that makes a lot of noise but runs at the first opportunity.” 
     
    “I’m not teaching her to be afraid of him. That’s happening all on her own.  When we passed the farm, he ran straight for us.  If Mr. Foster hadn’t called him back…”
     
    They glared at each other.  She knew she needed to leave and not come back. 
     
    She walked towards to door and started to open it, then turned back to him to try one last time.  “Everyone is afraid of something.  Even you.”
     
    “Oh, really?  What am I afraid of?” he demanded.
     
    “You are afraid of weakness.”  She turned and left.  She quickly looked around, but couldn’t see Jessica to say goodbye, so she headed home.
     
    ****
     
    Austin stared at the closed door, then at the dinner dishes on the table. Fine.  He didn’t need a fancy schoolteacher telling him what he should do with his house, his meals, his daughter, his life.  He should have told Lizzie not to come back weeks ago. 
     
    “Pa, did Miss Carter leave?” Jessica was at his side looking up at him.  “Is she mad again?”
     
    Austin chose to not answer her questions.  “Jess, you need to remember you can’t let fear rule your life.  You have to face it, and then you can conquer it.
     
    “I know, Pa.”
     
    “Don’t let that dog see that you’re afraid. I’ll get you a big stick to take with you and it will help you look big.  He’ll leave you alone.”
     
    “Okay, Pa.”
     
    “Please