Chapter One

MOSES LAKE

Thurs. June 16th

Bonjour Meme,

It was frigid when we left; not polar like winter days, but by early summer ways; I needed a coat when I crawled out from under my covers. And I almost didn't crawl out at all, but Papa and Ma mere had pesky perspectives of packing, which involved me. I know you want me to help Ma mere and my sisters, Meme; but since I turned eighteen, Papa thinks I should handle everything.

We stopped near Moses Lake, two and a half hours after we left Ten Mile, because Papa said he saw perch jumping in the lake as we crossed over the lake bridge; I thought we were going to the ocean.

I tried my best to out fish Miles, he's so full of himself; he's almost as arrogant as Papa, but I came up short by four fish and caught three fish to Miles' seven fish.

But I did catch the bigger fish out of the total ten fish. And I think I did a much better job cleaning my fish than Miles, and I even cleaned Papa's fish. Pappy showed me the proper way.

And I certainly did a much better job cooking my best fish right over the cooking fire; Miles burnt his fish!

Thank you for pappy, Meme. Sleep well.