jg.paintedhouse-第49部分

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　I　knew　she　was　off　in　Korea　again。　My　mother　was　too　tired　to　talk。
　　　Pappy　hated　leftovers；　but　he　still　thanked　the　Lord　for　them。　He　also　gave　thanks　for　the　dry　weather　and　asked　for　more　of　it。　We　ate　slowly；　the　day's　exhaustion　finally　settled　in。　Conversation　was　soft　and　short。
　　　I　heard　the　thunder　first。　It　was　a　low　rumble；　far　away；　and　I　glanced　around　the　table　to　see　if　the　adults　had　heard　it；　too。　Pappy　was　talking　about　the　cotton　markets。　A　few　minutes　later　the　rumbling　was　much　closer；　and　when　lightning　cracked　in　the　distance；　we　stopped　eating。　The　winds　picked　up；　and　the　tin　roof　on　the　back　porch　began　to　gently　rattle。　We　avoided　eye　contact。
　　　Pappy　folded　his　hands　together　and　rested　his　elbows　on　the　table　as　if　he　might　pray　again。　He　had　just　asked　God　for　more　good　weather。　Now　we　were　about　to　get　another　drenching。
　　　My　father's　shoulders　dropped　a　few　inches。　He　rubbed　his　forehead　and　gazed　at　a　wall。　The　rain　began　pecking　the　roof；　a　little　too　loudly；　and　Gran　said；　〃It's　hail。〃
　　　Hail　meant　high　winds　and　fierce　rain；　and　sure　enough　a　storm　roared　across　our　farm。　We　sat　at　the　table　for　a　long　time　listening　to　the　thunder　and　rain；　ignoring　the　half…eaten　supper　before　us；　wondering　how　many　inches　would　fall　and　how　long　it　would　be　before　we　could　pick　again。　The　St。　Francis　couldn't　hold　much　more；　and　when　it　spilled　out；　the　crops　would　be　finished。
　　　The　storm　passed；　but　the　rain　continued；　heavy　at　times。　We　finally　left　the　kitchen。　I　walked　to　the　front　porch　with　Pappy　and　saw　nothing　but　a　pool　of　water　between　our　house　and　the　road。　I　felt　sorry　for　him　as　he　sat　in　the　swing　and　gazed　in　disbelief　at　the　waves　of　water　God　was　sending　us。
　　　Later　my　mother　read　Bible　stories　to　me；　her　voice　barely　audible　above　the　rain　on　the　roof。　The　tale　of　Noah　and　the　flood　was　off…limits。　I　fell　asleep　before　young　David　slew　Goliath。
　　　
　　　The　next　day　my　parents　announced　that　they　were　driving　into　town。　I　was　invited…it　would've　been　too　cruel　to　deny　me　the　tripbut　Pappy　and　Gran　were　not　included。　It　was　a　little　family　outing。　Ice　cream　was　mentioned　as　a　possibility。　Thanks　to　Cowboy　and　Tally；　we　had　some　free　gasoline；　and　there　was　nothing　to　do　around　the　farm。　Water　was　standing　between　the　rows　of　cotton。
　　　I　sat　in　the　front　with　them　and　paid　close　attention　to　the　speedometer。　Once　we　turned　onto　the　main　highway　and　headed　north　toward　Black　Oak；　my　father　finished　shifting　and　sped　up　to　forty…five　miles　an　hour。　As　far　as　I　could　tell；　the　truck　ran　the　same　as　it　did　at　thirty…seven；　but　I　wasn't　about　to　mention　this　to　Pappy。
　　　It　was　oddly　forting　to　see　the　other　farms　idled　by　the　rain。　No　one　was　trudging　through　the　fields；　trying　to　pick。　Not　a　single　Mexican　could　be　seen。
　　　Our　land　was　low；　prone　to　early　flooding；　and　we'd　lost　crops　before　when　other　farmers　had　not。　Now　it　appeared　as　if　everybody　was　getting　soaked　in　equal　measure。
　　　It　was　midday　with　nothing　to　do　but　wait；　and　so　families　were　gathered　on　porches；　watching　the　traffic。　The　women　were　shelling　peas。　The　men　were　talking　and　worrying。　The　children　were　either　sitting　on　the　steps　or　playing　in　the　mud。　We　knew　them　all；　every　house。　We　waved；　they　waved　back；　and　we　could　almost　hear　them　say；　〃Reckon　why　the　Chandlers　are　headin'　to　town？〃
　　　Main　Street　was　quiet。　We　parked　in　front　of　the　hardware　store。　Three　doors　down　at　the　Co…op；　a　group　of　farmers　in　overalls　was　engaged　in　serious　conversation。　My　father　felt　obliged　to　report　there　first；　or　at　least　to　listen　to　their　thoughts　and　opinions　on　when　the　rain　might　end。　I　followed　my　mother　to　the　drugstore；　where　they　sold　ice　cream　at　a　soda　fountain　in　the　rear。　A　pretty　town　girl　named　Cindy　had　worked　there　for　as　long　as　I　could　remember。　Cindy　had　no　other　customers　at　the　moment；　and　I　received　an　especially　generous　helping　of　vanilla　ice　cream　covered　with　cherries。　It　cost　my　mother　a　nickel。　I　perched　myself　on　a　stool。　When　it　was　clear　that　I　had　found　my　spot　for　the　next　thirty　minutes；　my　mother　left　to　buy　a　few　things。
　　　Cindy　had　an　older　brother　who'd　been　killed　in　a　gruesome　car　wreck；　and　every　time　I　saw　her　I　thought　about　the　stories　I'd　heard。　There'd　been　a　fire；　and　they　couldn't　get　her　brother　out　of　the　wreckage。　And　there'd　been　a　crowd；　which；　of　course；　meant　there　were　many　versions　of　just　how　awful　it　really　was。　She　was　pretty；　but　she　had　sad　eyes；　and　I　knew　this　was　because　of　the　tragedy。　She　didn't　want　to　talk；　and　that　was　fine　with　me。　I　ate　slowly；　determined　to　make　the　ice　cream　last　a　long　time；　and　watched　her　move　around　behind　the　counter。
　　　I'd　heard　enough　whispers　between　my　parents　to　know　that　they　were　planning　to　make　some　sort　of　telephone　call。　Since　we　didn't　own　a　phone；　we'd　have　to　borrow　one。　I　was　guessing　it　would　be　the　phone　at　Pop　and　Pearl's　store。
　　　Most　of　the　homes　in　town　had　phones；　as　did　all　the　businesses。　And　the　farmers　who　lived　two　or　three　miles　from　town　had　phones；　too；　since　the　lines　ran　that　far。　My　mother　once　told　me　it　would　be　years　before　they　strung　phone　lines　out　to　our　place。　Pappy　didn't　want　one　anyway。　He　said　that　if　you　had　a　phone　then　you　had　to　talk　to　folks　whenever　it　was　convenient　for　them；　not　you。　A　television　might　be　interesting；　but　forget　a　phone。
　　　Jackie　Moon　came　through　the　door　and　made　his　way　back　to　the　soda　counter。　〃Hey；　little　Chandler；〃　he　said；　then　tousled　my　hair　and　sat　down　beside　me。　〃What　brings　you　here？〃　he　asked。
　　　〃Ice　cream；〃　I　said；　and　he　laughed。
　　　Cindy　stepped　in　front　of　us　and　said；　〃The　usual？〃
　　　〃Yes　ma'am；〃　he　said。　〃And　how　are　you？〃
　　　〃I'm　fine；　Jackie；〃　she　cooed。　They　studied　each　other　carefully；　and　I　got　the　impression　that　something　was　going　on。　She　turned　to　prepare　the　usual；　and　Jackie　examined　her　from　head　to　toe。
　　　〃Y'all　heard　from　Ricky？〃　he　asked　me；　his　eyes　still　on　Cindy。
　　　〃Not　lately；〃　I　said；　staring　too。
　　　〃Ricky's　a　tough　guy。　He'll　be　all　right。〃
　　　〃I　know；〃　I　said。
　　　He　lit　a　cigarette　and　puffed　on　it　for　a　moment。　〃Y'all　wet　out　there？〃　he　asked。
　　　〃Soaked。〃
　　　Cindy　placed　a　bowl　of　chocolate　ice　cream　and　a　cup　of　black　coffee　in　front　of　Jackie。
　　　〃They　say　it's　supposed　to　rain　for　the　next　two　weeks；〃　he　said。　〃I　don't　doubt　it。〃
　　　〃Rain；　rain；　rain；〃　Cindy　said。　〃That's　all　people　talk　about　these　days。　Don't　you　get　tired　of　talkin'　about　the　weather？〃
　　　〃Ain't　nothin'　else　to　talk　about；〃　Jackie　said。　〃Not　if　you're　farmin'。〃
　　　〃Only　a　fool　would　farm；〃　she　said；　then　tossed　her　hand　towel　on　the　counter　and　walked　to　the　front　register。
　　　Jackie　finished　a　bite　of　ice　cream。　〃She's　probably　right　about　that；　you　know。〃
　　　〃Probably　so。〃
　　　〃Your　daddy　goin'　up　North？〃　he　asked。
　　　〃Goin'　where？〃
　　　〃Up　North；　to　Flint。　I　hear　some　of　the　boys　are　already　makin'　calls；　tryin'　to　get　on　at　the　Buick　plant。　They　say　the　jobs　are　tight　this　year；　can't　take　as　many　as　they　used　to；　so　folks　are　already　scramblin'　to　get　on。　Cotton's　shot　to　hell　again。　Another　good　rain　and　the　river's　over　the　banks。　Most　farmers'll　be　lucky　to　make　half　a　crop。　Kind　of　silly；　ain't　it？　Farm　like　crazy　for　six　months；　lose　everything；　then　run　up　North　to　work　and　bring　back　enough　cash　to　pay　off　debts。　Then　plant　another　crop。〃
　　　〃You　goin'　up　North？〃　I　asked。
　　　〃Thinkin'　about　it。　I'm　too　young　to　get　stuck　on　a　farm　for　the　rest　of　my　life。〃
　　　〃Yeah；　me　too。〃
　　　He　sipped　his　coffee；　and　for　a　few　moments　we　silently　contemplated　the　foolishness　of　farming。
　　　〃I　hear　that　big　hillbilly　took　off；〃　Jackie　finally　said。
　　　Fortunately　I　had　a　mouthful　of　ice　cream；　so　I　just　nodded。
　　　〃I　hope　they　catch　him；〃　he　said。　〃I'd　like　to　see　him　go　to　trial；　get　what's　in'　to　him。　I　already　told　Stick　Powers　that　I'd　be　a　witness。　I　saw　the　whole　thing。　Other　folks　are　in'　out　now；　tellin'　Stick　what　really　happened。　The　hillbilly　didn't　have　to　kill　that　Sisco　boy。〃
　　　I　shoveled　in　another　scoop　and　kept　nodding。　I　had　learned　to　shut　up　and　look　stupid　when　the　subject　of　Hank　Spruill　came　up。
　　　Cindy　was　back；　snuffling　behind　the　counter；　wiping　this　and　that　and　humming　all　the　while。　Jackie　forgot　about　Hank。　〃You　'bout　finished？〃　he　said；　looking　at　my　ice　cream。　I　guess　he　and　Cindy　had　something　to　discuss。
　　　〃Just　about；〃　I　said。
　　　She　hummed；　and　he　stared　until　I　finished。　When　I'd　eaten　the　last　bit；　I　said　good…bye　and　went　to　Pop　and　Pearl's；　where　I　hoped　to　learn　more　about　the　telephone　call。　Pearl　was　alone　by　the　register；　her　reading　glasses　on　the　tip　of　her　nose；　her　gaze　meeting　mine　the　second　I　walked　in。　It　was　said　that　she　knew　the　sound　of　each　truck　that　passed　along　Main　Street　and　that　she　could　not　only　identify　the　farmer　driving　it　but　also　could　tell　how　long　it　had　been　since　he'd　been　to　town。　She　missed　nothing。
　　　〃Where's　Eli？〃　she　asked　after　we'd　exchanged　pleasantries。
　　　〃He　stayed　at　home；〃　I　said；　looking　at　the　bin　of　Tootsie　Rolls。　She　pointed　and　said；　〃Have　one。〃
　　　〃Thanks。　Where's　Pop？〃
　　　〃In　the　back。　Just　you　and　your　parents；　huh？〃
　　　〃Yes　ma'am。　You　seen　'em？〃
　　　〃No；　not　yet。　They　buyin'　groceries？〃
　　　〃Yes　ma'am。　And　I　think　my　dad　needs　to　borrow　a　phone。〃　This　stopped　her　cold　as　she　thought　of　all　the　reasons　why　he　needed　to　call　someone。　I　unwrapped　the　Tootsie　Roll。
　　　〃Who's　he　callin'？〃　she　asked。
　　　〃Don't　know。〃　Pity　the　poor　soul　who　borrowed　Pearl's　phone　and　wanted　to　keep　the　details　private。　She'd　know　more　than　the　person　on　the　other　end。
　　　〃Y'all　wet　out　there？〃
　　　〃Yes　ma'am。　Pretty　wet。〃
　　　〃That's　such　bad　land　anyway。　Seems　like　y'all　and　the　Latchers　and　the　Jeters　always　get　flooded　first。〃　Her　voice　trailed　off　as　she　contemplated　our　misfortune。　She　glanced　out　the　window；　slowly　shaking　her　head　at　the　prospect　of　another　bleak　harvest。
　　　I'd　yet　to　see　a　flood…at　least　not　one　that　I　could　remember…so　I　had　nothing　to　say。　The　weather　had　dampened　everyone's　spirits；　including　Pearl's。　With　heavy　clouds　hanging　over　our　part　of　the　world；　it　was　hard　to　be　optimistic。　Another　gloomy　winter　was　ing。
　　　〃I　hear　some　people　are　goin'　up　North；〃　I　said。　I　knew　Pearl　would　have　the　details　if　the　rumors　were　indeed　true。
　　　〃I　hear　that；　too；〃　she　said。　〃They're　tryin'　to　line　up　jobs　just　in　case　the　rains　stay。〃
　　　〃Who's　goin'？〃
　　　〃Hadn't　heard；〃　she　said；　but　I　could　tell　from　the　tone　of　her　voice　that　she　had　the　latest　gossip。　The　farmers　had　probably　used　her　phone。
　　　I　thanked　her　for　the　Tootsie　Roll　and　left　the　store。　The　sidewalks　were　empty。　It　was　nice　to　have　the　town　to　myself。　On　Saturdays　you　could　hardly　walk　for　all　the　people。　I　caught　a　glimpse　of　my　parents　in　the　hardware　store　buying　something；　so　I　went　to　investigate。
　　　They　were　buying　paint；　lots　of　it。　Lined　up　perfectly　on　the　counter；　along　with　two　brushes　still　in　their　plastic　wrappers；　were　five　one…gallon　buckets　of　white　Pittsburgh　Paint。　The　clerk　was　totaling　the　charges　when　I　walked　up。　My　father　was　fumbling　for　something　in　his　pocket。　My　mother　stood　close　to　his　side；　straight　and　proud。　It　was　obvious　to　me　that　she　had　pushed　the　buying　of　the　paint。　She　smiled　down　at　me　wit