Free Horse Camp by Nicole Helget Page A

like and love both my parents. I even really like my dad’s girlfriend, Harmony. And I love Stretch, too.
    Me: (I think about how many of Stretch’s qualities I don’t like and try to figure out which of Stretch’s qualities June Bug loves.) Wow, June Bug. You are one understanding person.
    June Bug: Well, if you’re not understanding about people’s faults, pretty soon you won’t have any people in your life, because all people have them.
    Me: Not my dad. He doesn’t. That’s why he’s a minister.
    June Bug: (Just smiles at me.)
    Me: Thanks, June Bug. G’night.
    June Bug: G’night, Penny.
    Then she left my room and closed the door softly. At first, I was pretty mad that she acted like she was more understanding than me, but then I decided that judging her for bragging was not practicing understanding on my part, so I just forgave her for bragging. Then I thought about how weird it was that June Bug had given me advice when I am the minister’s daughter, when I am the one who should be in the moral position to give advice, and she’s just the daughter of a druggy and a promiscuous woman. And she’s giving me advice?! I always imagine myself to be the person keeping it all together, the person with the answers, the person other people come to for advice.
    Though I wasn’t surprised that it’s true, I was surprised to hear June Bug admit to being randomly conceived by her parents. She practically bragged about being illegitimate and not coming from a nuclear family. I don’t think she knows that the disintegration of the nuclear family is at the heart of all the world’s troubles and sins.
    I’ve been wondering about Dad. Where is he? Why doesn’t he write more often? I know he has a lot of work to do, getting the new church up and running, but I’ve been wondering if he’s choosing God over Percy, Pauly, and me? I know you’re supposed to put God first in your life, but you should also find time for your family and especially your own children. I know Mom chose her illegal crimes over her family. Dad said it a hundred times before we had to come here. Dad said she knew the consequences and did it, anyway. But now it kind of feels like he’s choosing his church over us, too.
    I feel like both my parents have chosen other things over their own kids. I mean, Sheryl’s not what I would call a wonderful role model or appropriate dresser, but at least she’s taking care of June Bug and hugs her and kisses her as though June Bug is the greatest kid in the world. And Sheryl’s also really, really nice to Percy and Pauly, as if she thinks of them as her own kids. She makes them dinner and tells them to comb their hair. I even saw her lick her finger and then wipe a dirt smudge off Percy’s chin. She’s not related to us in any way and has absolutely no obligation to be nice to us. But she is. Things are just really, really out of whack around here.
    Dear Mom,
    Thanks for the letter. I miss you, and I love you, too.
    I’m glad to hear that there’s a chance for an appeal. I heard Stretch and Sheryl talking the other night about a second mortgage to pay for a better lawyer. That guy you had looked not very professional, in my opinion. The other side’s lawyers looked wayyyyy better. They had much nicer suits and more expensive watches. Also, they kept their pens in their pockets, which looks really professional and serious. Maybe you should get a guy like that, a guy who looks like he has it all together. Judges respect that.
    I hear you’re trying to get a trial by jury. Maybe you could get some of those people who were outside the courtroom when the verdict was read to be on the jury. Most of them seemed to be on your side. You could also try to get a lot of poor, sick people. They’d probably vote for you, especially if you told them you had three children to care for. Especially if they were