Dirt (The Dirt Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

hitting my face
through the window. My skin is tinged, but comfortable.
“Ashe! Ashe!”
The frantic calling of my name pulls me out of my comfort, out
of my thoughts of what might have been a wonderful dream.
“Ashe! Ashe! Ashe!” Dad is in a panic.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” I rub my eyes as I run down the
basement stairs. His lab is in shambles. Someone broke into the
house during the night.
“We’ve got to call the police.” I pick up the house phone and
start to dial 911. In one swift movement, he pushes the phone out of
my hands onto the floor smashing it into pieces before I can finish
dialing.
“No! No!” he insists pacing back and forth running his hands
through his dark brown hair that is in wild disarray. He begins
dialing his cell phone.
“Who are you calling?” My hands are quivering with the
thought of someone being in our house without us knowing it. I
slept through it all. The back door to the basement was apparently
left unlocked and whomever it was entered at their leisure. There
wasn’t any forced entry.
“Dad, who are you calling?”
“Marvin, get here as soon as you can. Someone’s broken into
the lab.”
“Why are you calling Mr. Birch?” Dad’s face is mangled in
worry.
“He’ll know what to do, Ashe.”
“The police will know what to do.” I try to bring him to reason.
“What do you think they would say if they saw a set up like
this? How would I explain it?”
I can see his point. He picked up his cell phone again. “Who
are you calling now?”
“Into work.” He may have been late often, but he never missed
a day on the job.
“I’m not going to school today. I need to stay here and help
you get things cleaned up.”
“Yes, you are. I would feel better if you did. You don’t need to
miss class. That will give me something else to worry about.” He
looks up his face caught in an expression of surprise and runs
outside into the backyard. I follow behind him. “Thank God,” he
sighs.
What in the world is he worried about out here? We have a
large yard and nothing but national forest behind us. Wilderness.
Lots and lots of wilderness. What is it?” I ask confused.
“Nothing,” he responds as he goes back inside and I follow
behind him. He’s keeping something from me. I hope he’s not into
anything illegal. No way, not Dad.
In a fluster, he looks around the basement at shattered glass and
upturned tables. He’s a ball of nerves, falling apart. Marvin arrives
to help with the mess. He’s aware of Dad’s strange ways and it
doesn’t seem to bother him. Sometimes, he helps Dad in the lab. I
guess they’re kind of like kindred spirits. Marvin Birch is much
older than my father and has his wits about him.
“It’s going to be alright, Henry. We’ll get this cleaned up,” he
reassures Dad, whose hands are still shaking.
I call Taylie to let her know I’m not going to make it, but her
car is still in the shop and I don’t want her to have to miss school
too. So, I listen to Dad and go to class.
“Ashe, don’t worry. I’ll take care of Henry. Everything will be
alright.” Mr. Birch gives me a wink, his voice comforting and calm.
I would probably be in the way if I stayed.
6
     
    As I wait in The Recess, I search the room from a corner booth.
I hate to admit I hope to see Rowen again. I wonder if he is
watching me. He isn’t here, but I can feel his warmth in the air
which is fresher than usual. Maybe, I’m wishing it, dreaming the air
is different.
    I have to keep my head out of the clouds. I can
’t get emotional.
I can’t let myself get too close to anyone, but I can feel myself
getting caught up in the thought of him.
    I have Dad to think about, but the thought of Rowen sparks
another side of me; a side I don’t know. I didn’t see him today. Is
that why I feel so empty? Is that why my heart feels bare and
exposed?
    When I
arrive
home I
head
straight for
the basement.
“Everything seems to be in order now and accounted for,”