Among the Living Read Online Free Page A

“It’s very nice,” he said and set the glass down.
    “The bathroom was all right?” Jesler said. If he couldn’t have his pie, he wanted information.
    Goldah said, “Your soap looks like a rose.”
    “Specialty company in Atlanta,” said Jesler. “They also do cars, stars, and shells, if that’s what you like. They know how to run a business, I can tell you that.”
    “I tried the shells,” said Pearl, “but I think I prefer the rosebuds.”
    Goldah realized they were waiting on him. He picked up his fork and sliced into the pie. “They’re very pretty.” He ate.
    Jesler spoke through a mouthful. “She won’t let you in on the secret, but let me just say we go through a lot of honey this time of year.”
    “Abe!” said Pearl.
    Mary Royal stayed by the window and Goldah found it remarkable that she could stand so still with the pitcher and show almost nothing in her face. It seemed effortless, unconsidered, yet perfectly in control, and he envied her for it. He imagined she was no more than twenty.
    “It’s the crust,” said Jesler. “Even I don’t know what makes it this good.”
    “And you won’t — will he, Mary Royal?”
    “That’s our secret, Mr. Abe.”
    Jesler took another healthy forkful. “You stick to that. You like apple pie, Ike?”
    To his surprise, Goldah did. He had worked his way back to food, real food, with taste and texture and heat, and while his stomach had learned to reaccommodate it, the rest of him was having more difficulty. There were any number of reasons for it — obvious reasons such as memory and shame — but the simplest was that to savor a plate was to recognize his own worth and that was something not so easily restored.
    “It’s very nice.”
    “You probably grew up on strudel,” said Pearl. “I thought about making you one, but this seemed more … I don’t know … welcoming. Does it feel more welcoming?”
    “Much more welcoming,” said Goldah.
    “Good. That’s good.” She took Jesler’s empty plate and handed him hers, still with her untouched piece on it. “When you’re done, I’ll show you to your room and you can have a little lie-down before the company comes. That’s all right that we asked a few people over tonight, isn’t it? Everyone was just so eager to meet you.”
    Goldah wondered if there was a word in English to describe the exhaustion he now felt.
    “Of course,” he said.
    “Good. Good. Would you like some more tea? Mary Royal, leave the pitcher in case Mr. Ike wants some more tea.” She stood. “Don’t you get up. Just enjoy that pie and drink your tea, and when you’re ready you shout for me and I’ll come and show you to your room. And don’t you give Abe your piece. If you want another, you call for Mary Royal. We’ll be in the kitchen.”
    Jesler was focused on his plate as Pearl moved toward the door. She stopped at Goldah’s chair and kissed him on the top of his head.
    “Eat your pie,” she said and headed out. Mary Royal set the pitcher on the table and followed, while Jesler was busy running the back of his fork over what was left of his crust.
    “She’ll do that,” he said, “dote on you, like you were a little boy.” He stopped the fork and his eyes grew narrower as if he had just felt a small pain at the back of his head. “You don’t tell Pearl I said that. It wouldn’t do her good to hear it. Okay?”

    Upstairs, Jesler set the suitcase inside the door while Pearl turned on a lamp and moved to the drapes at the window.
    “Best to keep them closed when you can,” she said. “This room gets far too much sun and just bakes you like an oven if you’re not careful.”
    Goldah watched as her entire body seemed to stiffen. Her face grew paler.
    “Oh my God,” she whispered. Tears formed in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to say that. I didn’t mean that. That’s a terrible thing. I’m so sorry.”
    Goldah answered gently, “You said nothing.” He wondered how many ways he had learned