The Seary Line Read Online Free Page A

There was nothing casual about that man, nothing informal or intimate.
    â€œGood to see you, Uncle,” Percy said, as he pushed open the screen door with his foot. “Come on in. Never mind the boots.”
    Uncle glanced at the onions, then at Delia seated in the rocker, and Percy noticed his face droop with a look of displeasure. His shoulders drooped too, large stomach jutting. Over a soiled beige shirt, his suspenders, decorated with jumping clovers, seemed almost whimsical. Percy stared at those suspenders, wondering what was out of place, when he realized Uncle was carrying a tiny bundle inthe crook of his elbow, a cupful of pure white against the dull fabrics of his clothes.
    Delia saw the child at the same time. “Oh, oh my. Oh my.”
    Percy dropped the onions onto a chair; they rolled down the incline, tan skins coming loose. Getting as close as he’d ever been to Uncle, Percy eased the warm knitted parcel into his own arms. Placing a hand underneath the pug nose, Percy sensed a warm breeze, smiled, and passed the baby to Delia.
    â€œWe’d have taken it on ourselves, if we wasn’t so old. ’Twas our mess. No two ways about it.”
    â€œOh, no mess, Uncle. ’Tis an honest joy for us. Idn’t that right, Percy.”
    â€œWe’s right blessed. You’ve gone and blessed us this day.” Percy went to clap Uncle on his back, but his hand stopped just short. “Take a load off, for God’s sakes. What can I offer you? A drop of something. The best of whatever we has.”
    Uncle seemed to ignore the proposal, said firmly, “A bit earlier than expected, but if you’re not ready, Berta can handle it for a day or two. Though she says it would be awful hard on the girl.”
    â€œWe’re ready.”
    â€œYes, Uncle,” Delia replied. “We’ve been ready since the day you told us the child was coming.”
    â€œGrand, then. Bert is wonderful tired, and I don’t know nothing about tending to young’uns.”
    Delia leaned down to smell the child’s head, and Uncle clenched his jaw, scowled.
    â€œWhat is it? Boy or girl?”
    â€œI don’t rightly know now, missus.”
    Delia slid to the edge of her chair. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Is there something wrong?”
    â€œNo. Just I didn’t take the time to ask is all.”
    â€œWell, now.”
    â€œâ€™Tis not my business what it is.”
    â€œI sees.”Percy piped up when he detected a slight sharpness in his wife’s tone. “Of course you’re going to stay for a drink. What can I get you?”
    â€œNo. Bert’s got dinner on the table, and she’s in no mood to wait. A long day we’ve had.”
    â€œAs we can well imagine.”
    â€œSo I’ll be on my way.”
    â€œThat’s it, then?”
    â€œFar as I sees.”
    â€œWell, thank you. Thank you kindly, Uncle. Hardly seems enough, though, don’t it?”
    Old Uncle moved his mouth as though he were a cow chewing its cud. Then, he tipped his hat and walked out into the porch. As he pushed the screen door open, he turned back, leaned in through the doorway.
    â€œNo guarantees, missus,” he said, shaking his head. “No guarantees.”
    Delia met his tired eyes, then replied with conviction, “Is there ever?”

    â€œCan you believe that man?” Delia said just after the door knocked against the frame.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œGot neither soul at all. Handed this over as though ’twas a scrap of lost mail. Like driftwood, he is.”
    Percy swiped the damp hair on the back of his neck. “Who’s to know what goes on inside another man’s head?”
    God. You can’t say a poor word about no one
.
    Really, Del. Come now
.
    â€œYou’re right,” she snorted. “That old man should be the last thing on my mind.”
    Delia’s good hand hovered just over the baby,