Read The Rhythm of the August Rain for Free Online Page B

inches away from the whirring machine, her toes barely touching the foot pedal. One hand held down a swath of shiny blue fabric, the other fed it under the needle. Sweat was sticking the T-shirt to her plump arms, a drop trickling down her neck under the permed hair.
    Shad leaned against the door and crossed his arms. “You want the fan?” he shouted above the roar. Beth nodded without looking up, and he clicked on the ceiling fan. “Like how is Saturday, you not selling in the market today?” he asked just as the machine twanged to a stop.
    â€œYou see what happen? You make the thread break.” Drawing the air through her teeth in a long, disgusted suck, she wet the thread and restrung it. “I don’t have time for no market today. I still have to finish Rickia’s dress.”
    â€œYou can’t get a little time off from the library during the week to do your sewing?”
    â€œWho going to clean the toilets for them?”
    â€œWe have plenty vegetables ready to sell, you know, tomatoes and string beans and potatoes. I been keeping them up on my day off. What you want to do with them?”
    â€œSee if you can sell them, nuh?” Beth resumed her sewing.
    Before his evening shift, Shad lugged a large basket with vegetables up the Delgados’ driveway. He walked to the rear of the house and opened the back door.
    â€œMiss Bertha, you here?” he called into the quiet of the kitchen.
    A large dog crossed the black and white tiles toward him wagging its tail.
    â€œSheba, how you doing? They give away all your puppies?” Shad patted the chocolate Lab, keeping well away. Nobody wanted a bartender with dog hair on his pants. When Sheba padded off, Shad put the basket on the counter and washed his hands, wiping his brow with the paper towel afterward. “Miss Bertha?”
    â€œComing, coming.” The chunky housekeeper appeared in her uniform, fanning herself. After inquiries about the wedding, she settled down to sorting and counting the vegetables. “I glad you bring them. I couldn’t get to the market today, I been so busy.”
    â€œIs that Shad?” said a voice from the doorway.
    Shad looked up. “Shannon, is you?”
    The old friends embraced, holding each other tight for a second, Shad’s head reaching only to the woman’s ear.
    â€œIt’s been so long,” Shannon said, “but you look just the same!”
    â€œAnd you fill out a little,” Shad said, laughing. He didn’t want to say that she was lovely, lovely as ever, with her upturned nose and peachy skin, looking as if she should be milking Canadian cows. “You was kind of mauger before, you know.”
    â€œYou’re such a diplomat, Shad,” she said, her smile wide and easy, the intelligent eyes looking straight at him.
    â€œWhen did you come?”
    â€œJust got here. We took a taxi because Jennifer and the kids had to go into Kingston for some medical appointments. I heard your voice, so I had to—”
    â€œAnd who is that—that pretty girl?” Shad interrupted, pointing to the somber-looking adolescent at the door. “Is that Eve?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Shannon said with a tight smile.
    In response to her mother’s wave, the girl came forward, almost dragging her feet.
    â€œTake your earbuds out, Eve, and come and meet Shad,” Shannon said, gesturing.
    The girl pulled the plugs out of her ears and stuffed them in her pocket. Something about the child was unhappy, he thought, her eyes down most of the time, the round face inherited from her mother made plainer by her refusal to let it smile. The blouse she wore didn’t help either; it slouched off her shoulder and sank into her hunched chest.
    â€œWe glad to have you in Largo, Eve.” Shad touched her arm and she pulled away, only an inch or so, and he dropped his hand. “Can you believe, I know your mother from before you was born?