“,” Isaid, surprisedatthefranknessofmycommand.“I'llgetyousomethingtoeat.” EmotionshadawayofgettingmixedupthesedifficultdaysandIcouldn'ttrustmine, justasIcouldn', Ibecameangryatmyself, atmyhelplessness, atmyemptycupboards, attheunrelentingdrought, atthewholedamnedsufferingcountry.
Islicedaloafofbreadwithviciousswipesoftheknife, jerkedopentheice-boxformilk, twistedthelidoffajarofhome-madejam, , Isawtheboynearthegarden, , lefthimmyscantyoffering, andreturnedindoors.
Despitethedrawnblinds, , .
Whenthesharpslapofthescreendoorawakenedme, Iwasstartled.
“Mama, whereareyou?”
IstruggledtomyfeetandfoundAlicesittingatthekitchentable, herheadandshouldersbowedindejection.
“Mama, AcmeStoresarehiringnextweek.” Sheraisedherheadandstaredintomyface.“Theemploymentofficersaidgirlswouldbehiredonlyiftheywereproperlydressed.” HerbrowneyessoughtconfirmationthatIunderstoodherstatement.“Thatmeansstockingsandadecentpairofshoes, Mama, andlookatme!” Shethrustoutherfeetintheirdustyrunningshoes.
Instinctively, 'sstandards, , andIsteppedbehindherchairtocomfortherwithahug.
“Honey, wehaveawholeweektoworkonit.” Ikissedhersofthair, stillwarmfromthesun.“Maybesomethingwillcomeourway.”
“That'swhatyoualwayssay, 'stheuseofhoping!”
Itwasn'ttillIbegantoprepareourmeagersupperthatIrememberedtheyoungman, , asdejectedasAlice, IsupposeIwouldhavekissedthetopofhishead, too, , , youngman.
