Seasons of Her Life Read Online Free Page A

Angelus rang. Noon. Ruby ran around the pine through the yard and along the side of the porch. She wouldn’t be late until the last peal of the bell.
    â€œYou’re late, girl!” George said harshly. Ruby lowered her gaze, staring at the cracks on the porch floor. Early on she’d learned never to look her father in the eye. “Where you been, girl?”
    â€œI went over to Bubba’s to say good-bye ... sir.”
    George’s eyes narrowed. “Your grandmother give you a going-away present?”
    â€œNo, sir.” Ruby lied with a straight face. She crossed her fingers inside the pockets of her dress. Bubba hadn’t given Amber anything when she went away, so there was no reason for her father to think this time would be any different. Because it was so important that he believe her, she raised her eyes and said, “She did give me a hanky because I started to cry.”
    She withdrew the square of white linen with the shirt-tail hem. Her heart took on an extra beat, but she didn’t lower her gaze.
    â€œDid you clean your room, girl?”
    â€œYes, sir. This morning.”
    â€œDid you pack your Bible?”
    â€œYes, sir. Last night.” Before she got off the train at Union Station she was going to ditch the Bible. If Amber was dumb enough to ask her where it was, she’d lie and say someone on the train stole it. Girl. He’d never called her anything but girl. Was Ruby so hard to say? Or dear or honey? She risked a quick glance at her mother, who immediately looked away.
    â€œGet your bags, and don’t be slow about it. Close the door, and don’t slam it. I’ll bring the car up.”
    Ruby climbed the steps to the truck room, a lump in her throat. Close the door, and don’t slam it. She’d like to slam the damn door so hard it fell off its hinges. They’d never think of her again until her payments started rolling in. Angrily, she pushed her suitcases down the hall to the top of the stairs. She closed the door quietly, and in a last fit of rebellion, she kicked both suitcases down the steps. They landed with a loud thud. Ruby clapped her hands and grinned, then went downstairs again. Her suitcases upended on the front porch, Ruby stared at her mother, willing her to say something, something kind, something personal. Even a look would do, Ruby thought desperately. She wanted to throw her arms around her mother and cry, but she didn’t. You must love me a little bit, she thought, I’m your daughter. She cried silently, never taking her eyes from her mother’s face. Hurry, Mom, he’ll be here in a second, just a word, a look. Please, Mom. Oh, God, please say it. Now, now, before it’s too late. Ruby didn’t need to see her father’s car come to a halt at the side of the house; she saw the relief in her mother’s face.
    â€œI think it’s going to rain before long,” Irma said loudly enough for George to hear.
    â€œThere won’t be any rain today, woman,” George said coldly.
    Irma blinked and looked overhead at the dark gray clouds that would erupt shortly. “I’m sure you’re right, George,” she said.
    Ruby carried her bags to the car. God, wasn’t her mother even going to say good-bye?
    â€œSay good-bye to your mother, girl,” George ordered.
    Without turning, Ruby mimicked her father, “Say good-bye to your mother, girl.”
    At the same moment the words tumbled from Ruby’s mouth, Opal skidded around the corner of the house screaming at the top of her lungs, “RubyRubyRuby! I thought I would miss you. I asked Sister Clementine to let me out a few minutes early. She said to say good-bye for her.”
    Ruby saw George’s hand move, and Opal took the blow high on her cheekbone. His slap caught her full in the mouth, cutting off anything else she might say. Opal’s eyes filled with tears. Ruby caught her sister close and whispered,