Why the Stand Faces Forward — Between the apple rows, Ione kept one hand on the rough post and one on the big sign, pretending the tremble came from wind. Read the full story →
Between the apple rows, Ione kept one hand on the rough post and one on the big sign, pretending the tremble came from wind. She meant to face the words toward the road before the first truck rattled in, but the heavy board would not budge; then, where nobody ever looked, behind the lowest basket, her fingers found a brass hinge smelling of rain and cider. Inside was a folded note: Face the stand toward the orchard first; fruit likes to be thanked before it is sold. Ione whispered, “All right,” and turned it slowly. Ever since, harvest stands face the trees before they face the road.
