From The Saddle
Mama collected the lunch plates and ran hot water in the sink. One basin was soapy and the other was clear for rinsing. Daddy stood me on a chair and it was my job to rinse and dry dishes while he washed. The rinse water was blistering hot and I grabbed at knives, forks, plates, and tea glasses so as not to burn my little fingers. The scalding water didn’t bother Dad as he chattered with Mama. I put the silverware and glass into the drying rack and Mama put everything into the cabinets. Daddy helped me lift the bigger pots and pans and I perched them on the edge of the drain board, dried them, and then handed them over to be put away. Meanwhile, our ranch hand, Garland Nelson, was lounging under a tree in the front yard.
“I’m going to take Garland and walk across the road. We’re going to chop the yaupons out of the cattleguard going up to Grandma’s House. Herman, go turn Missie loose and let her out of the backyard. She can come over to where we’re working.”
