River Rules Read online

  “Yeah. Whatever she wants. Well, maybe not new”

  “Relax. Mom’s not the Mercedes type. She’ll just want another SUV.”

  Sean offered to help scout out a used trailer. “Don’t buy a new one, Dad. I’ll make some calls.”

  Rachel gave her brother a big smile. “Awesome. Hey, have you seen Mike or Josh lately? They did such an ass-kicking job when they helped get us up and running.”

  “Mike, yes. Josh, not recently.”

  “Do you know if he’s still with his girlfriend? Josh, I mean.”

  “You got a boyfriend last time I looked.” Sean stared at her pointedly.

  “I still have eyes, Sean.”

  Peter broke into a grin when Jeff told him about the expansion idea. “Let’s get two trailers. I mean it.”

  “Pete, you cannot be serious. Let’s start with one.”

  “I’m dead serious. We could do it, people are being turned away all the time because we run out of product.”

  “No. We keep it manageable, that’s always the goal. I’m happy with the way things are. We got great people working with us. You’re mending, Annie and me are solid, Sean’s good, and Rach, well, she’s mostly OK.”

  “What do you mean, mostly? She’s baking up a storm, she runs the business, she’s clean, she’s got a nice boyfriend—what else do you want from her?”

  “Numbskull, I don’t want anything from her. I want things for her. And her relationship isn’t doing so hot—lots of tension there. But I really like Zack.”

  “So, you go out with him. You gotta trust her more.”

  CHAPTER 69

  PETER AND MARCO PARKED THE GREAT FULL BREAD TRUCK down by the river after selling out of everything during the hectic breakfast and lunch hours. Exhausted but happy, they strolled to the water’s edge. Peter clutched two bottles of seltzer in one hand and a big bag of pretzels in the other. Marco carried two fishing poles and a bucket while Brutus trotted purposefully alongside them. They settled down by the big rocks and laughed as a quacking flock of ducks dive-bombed them.

  “Dinner,” Peter shouted. He shielded his still-healing head wound protectively in case the ducks got too close for comfort. Marco tented his hands over Peter’s face, too.

  “Yeah, right. You gonna feed them not cook them.”

  “Only to fatten them up. Duck a l’orange could be tomorrow’s special.”

  “Nah, Peking duck. I like them little pancakes and dipping sauce. Hey—don’t pick your scab, Coach. Gonna get infected.”

  The fish weren’t biting, so after relaxing in the verdant shade, they packed up. Right when they came through the last grove of trees, they saw an off-duty Kenny Johnson buffing a spot on the truck’s Great Full Bread logo. He looked up when Brutus started barking.

  “Peter, Marco,” Kenny said, walking over and offering Brutus his hand to sniff. “I’ve got a big favor to ask. I’ve been wanting to for a long time, but I had to wait until Peter could get off the most wanted list and behave himself in public.” Kenny winked and slapped hands with Marco. “Can I drive this baby?”

  “Well, now. Do you have the right kind of license? Wouldn’t want you to get in trouble.” Peter gave Kenny a very stern look while Marco guffawed. “The police strictly enforce the laws around here, you know.”

  “Hey, KJ—you want some ice with that burn?”

  Kenny smiled and looked down at Brutus humping his leg. “Hey, I have Brutus’s seal of approval. That’s gotta count for something.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” Peter said. “Wait, do you have a dog?”

  “Not yet; my folks used to. Sparky.” Kenny scratched Brutus in exactly the right spot behind his ears. “I love dogs. Come on, Peter. Give me a chance to drive the truck. Marco, help me out here.”

  “Well, lemme try and think of something positive to say. Sure as shit ain’t gonna be the ‘stache. Wait, I got it. He’s a good customer who tips, and he’s OK for a cop. We all got some history together, Coach.”

  Kenny nodded and pointed at Marco. “The man speaks the truth. Except about the ‘stache. Besides, Brutus will guide me.”

  “How much time you have, Kenny? I’ve got a proposition for you. See,” Peter said, clapping him on the shoulder, “you can drive the truck but there’s just one tiny catch. The only place you can drive to with my permission is the animal shelter. Take Marco, too. There’s a couple of dogs that need a home—I got the call the other day—and I think you’re the answer to one of their prayers. What do you say?”

  Kenny grinned and vaulted into the driver’s seat. Marco handed him the keys and flopped down on the passenger seat. Brutus scrambled in to help Marco supervise as Kenny revved the engine.

  “Hey, man—don’t flood it.”

  “Kenny, you never answered my question.” Peter spread his arms wide and waited expectantly.

  “You’ll see, have faith.” Kenny eased the truck out of the parking lot in a cloud of exhaust.

  “We gotta get a tune-up, Coach.” Marco yelled through cupped hands as Kenny accelerated.

  “You’re speeding,” Peter shouted back. He rummaged in his pockets for a treat to give Brutus later and settled onto a picnic table, taking care to avoid fresh splatters of bird poop. Scrolling through his phone, he saw Sean had texted about a good lead on a food trailer. Texting back and forth, they set up an appointment with the seller for later in the week.

  Before long, Peter heard the truck wheezing back to the river. “Damn, that sounds bad.”

  Kenny swung in close to Peter. “Sweet ride. I kept expecting the engine to explode.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Brutus jumped out of the truck and raced after some squirrels. “Hey, where’s Marco?” Peter heard the little woof before he saw the puppy cradled in Marco’s arms. “Who’s this?”

  Kenny took the fluffball from Marco. “Hey, I think he pissed on you.”

  “That’s on account of your driving. This ain’t Nascar.”

  Kenny cooed to the pup and then offered him to Peter. “Meet Slugger.”

  “Slugger?” Peter stroked his fur and whispered. “Did you choose him or did he choose you?”

  “You don’t get to choose nothin’ in life. Little Slugger had a rough start, Coach,” Marco said. “But some TLC, and he’ll be good.”

  Kenny shook his head sadly and reached over to Peter for the dog. “Amen. C’mere, little dude.”

  They all turned at the sound of the approaching ferry, watching as the water churned. Gulls cried, and the ducks waddled away. Peter, Kenny and Marco waved at the ferrymen, weathered and tanned in their bright orange vests. Assorted cars and bicyclists exited up the ramp. Savoring the cool damp smell of the river, Peter draped his arms across the younger men’s shoulders. The waves, lapping against the shore, cast a spell as they stood comfortably quiet and still.

  READER’S GUIDE FOR RIVER RULES BY STEVIE Z. FISCHER

  Many communities grapple with nature preservation, particularly if the choice is between open space and economic growth. Does Bridgeville’s experience ring true to you?

  Peter and Jeff are two years apart and very close. Jeff seems to have more of a traditional lifestyle than Peter plus he carries the load of running the farm. Was it fair for their father, Artie, to cut Peter out?

  Peter went his own way, dropping out of college and working in the aerospace industry on the assembly lines. He helped Jeff, but did Peter do enough? Did Jeff do enough to make the inheritance fairer?

  Did Tomassi do enough for Peter after he got arrested?

  Nancy’s tough road is one shared by many women: health problems, career struggles, divorce, and date rape. It is realistic for her to have endured all of these?

  Nancy doesn’t seem to think that she betrayed Peter to the Consortium. How much did Brock’s role affect her decision?

  Brock’s brutality towards Nancy doesn’t seem to catch up to him. When Nancy tells the chaplain who raped her and who she is terrified of, can Brock be held accountable?

  Who is
your favorite character in the book? Your least favorite.

  Following your conscience and extending a helping hand motivate Peter and several other characters. How important is doing the right thing in protecting nature, family and friendships?

  What about Becky, Carmen’s daughter? She wasn’t as lucky as Rachel. She became a teen mother and died at 23. What does the book suggest about how difficult it is to be a young woman? A middle-aged woman?

  How hard do you think it was for Josh to follow his conscience? What do you think of his actions?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  STEVIE Z. FISCHER writes about the interplay of people, nature and power in small-town New England. Her first novel, River Rules, looks at how everyday heroes can be forged as lives are changed by forces seemingly beyond our control. Stevie’s focus on the bonds of friendship, love of nature, and refusal to be marginalized shines through in River Rules. Although she has worked in jobs ranging from cheese slicing to strategic analysis, nothing has been so transformational as paying attention, walking her dog and never meeting a stranger. Stevie teaches writing and lives in Connecticut.