Capture the Wind for Me Read Online Free PDF

I sighed and stepped through the back door to call Clarissa inside. She slowed, swishing hair out of her eyes. “I don’t wanna come in yet.”
    Winnie flung herself on the grass, panting with fury. Alma Sue placed hands on her hips, almost as if defying me to stop their fun.
    â€œCome on, Clarissa.”
    She surveyed me dolefully. “Five more minutes.”
    â€œNo. Now.”
    Defeated, she dragged herself into the kitchen while Alma Sue turned on her heel toward home. Clarissa slumped at the table, where her books awaited. I sighed into a chair beside her.
    â€œHey, girls, homework time?” Daddy entered the kitchen. “Jackie, don’t you have work of your own to do?”
    â€œYeah, a report.”
    â€œYou go on then; I’ll help Clarissa.” He pulled out the chair across from me.
    I hesitated. “You sure you’re not too tired?”
    He smiled. “I can handle it.”
    â€œI know, but it’s the end of the week for you, and—”
    â€œJackie, go. This is not a suggestion.”
    Daddy’s favorite phrase. Which meant the discussion was over. “Thanks, Daddy.” I padded out of the kitchen, stopping to check on my brother.
    â€œRobert?” I tapped on his door, then opened it. He lolled on his brown carpet, fists stacked on top of each other and supporting his chin as he read a sports magazine. His books were scattered around him, along with the ubiquitous dirty socks and numerous other pieces of clothing. I made a point of ogling. “What is this, the city dump? And why aren’t you doin’ your homework?”
    â€œI got all weekend; stop raggin’ on me.” His eyebrows knit, and he spread his full lips even wider, just like Daddy would do.
    â€œOh, I won’t bother raggin’,” I retorted to Robert. “You bring home a bad report card, it won’t be me they kick off the softball team.” I started to shut his door. “By the way, Mrs. Crary called. The game’s at 2:00 this Saturday. You should be there by 1:30.”
    I left him to his poor choices and retreated to my room.
    Some time later, a knock on my door made me jump. I snapped off my radio. “Yes?”
    Daddy eased inside. “Jackie, I need to talk to you.”
    My eyes fell on the clock. “Good grief, it’s 9:30! I have to put Clarissa to bed.” I started to rise.
    â€œIt’s done.”
    â€œOh.” I blinked at him. He usually tucked Clarissa in bed, but I was the one who made sure she got ready on time. “Did she brush her teeth?”
    Daddy half smiled. “Yes, Jackie, she brushed her teeth.”
    â€œOkay.”
    He sat on my bed. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
    I frowned. “Clarissa’s teeth?”
    â€œNo, I mean . . .” He raised a hand and let it flop back down. “You’ve taken care of us all so well, Jackie. I know this last year and a half hasn’t been any easier for you than for the rest of us. I’ve been proud of the way you’ve grown up so quickly. But it’s also made me sad to see you change so much. All the things you used to love—the gymnastics, the cheerleading—you don’t do them anymore.”
    â€œI don’t have time.”
    â€œI know. That’s just it.”
    My heart twinged, both for him and myself. “It doesn’t matter, Daddy, I don’t want to do those things now anyway. Like you said, I’ve grown up.”
    â€œYou’re only sixteen.”
    â€œWell.” I straightened my back. “Sixteen’s not a kid.”
    He laced his fingers, nodding slowly. “Jackie, I want you to understand me. I’m grateful for all you do with the house and kids. With my havin’ to work to support the family, I couldn’t have made it without you.”
    He paused. I remained silent, not sure where he was headed.
    â€œBut lately,” he continued,