Fall from Grace Read Free Page A

hurried around the corner, breathless, pushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I was in the garden,” she said. She smiled at her children as she approached them, gathered at the rear of the truck. “What on earth have you got there?” she said to Herman.
    From his position on the truck bed Herman whipped off the tarpaulin, revealing a collection of wire cages. “Take a look at that,” he said triumphantly.
    â€œWhat is it?” said Camellia, standing on tiptoe, straining to see.
    â€œAnimals,” said Rose-Iris disbelievingly, peering into the truck. “It’s animals. In cages.”
    â€œLet me see, let me see,” said Camellia, all excited. Rose-Iris lifted her up, staggering a little.
    â€œI got ’em from Tyrone,” said Herman.
    â€œI thought you went over there to get money,” said Annabelle, her hands on her hips. “I thought Tyrone owed you some money.”
    â€œHe did owe me, and now he’s paying me. He’s sending more next week, too.” Herman gestured impatiently to his wife. “Come on over here. When the monkeys and the skunks get here there’s gonna be enough critters for a zoo, and that’s what I’m bound to have, a zoo, a mini-zoo, two dollars for adults and a buck each for kids.” He threw back his head and laughed. “How’s that for a summer project?” he said to Arnold, with a wink.
    Rose-Iris put Camellia down again. “Can we play with them?” said Camellia.
    â€œDon’t be silly,” said Rose-Iris sharply. “They’re wild animals. You don’t play with wild animals.”
    Annabelle had ventured nearer, and now she stared into the interior of the cages. She saw raccoons, and squirrels, and foxes. All of the animals were panting. Some of them were quivering. Their eyes were huge and dark; fathomless, thought Annabelle. Urine and excrement had fouled the bottoms of the cages, which were lined with newspapers.
    â€œWell come on, don’t just stand around,” said Herman. “These critters need a drink. Climb on up here, Arnold, help me get these things off here. We’ll set ’em up out back, where there’s some shade.”
    Annabelle stood back and watched as the cages were unloaded. Her heart was hammering in her chest. It’s the heat, she thought. Really, it was uncommonly warm, for June.
    She smoothed her dress with her hands, tilted her head, and managed to clear herself a passageway through the threat of turmoil.
    â€œI’m having nothing to do with this,” she said, her tone flat and implacable. “I’m going back to my garden.”
    The rest of the family watched, silent, as she walked quickly toward the house.
    â€œI think she’s scared of those animals,” said Camellia finally.
    Rose-Iris gave her a push. “Ma’s not scared of anything,” she said, glancing up at her father.
    â€œShe’ll get used to them,” said Herman, staring at the corner around which Annabelle had disappeared. “She’ll damn quick get used to them.”
    iii
    â€œWanda, it’s five to four.”
    â€œI know it’s five to four.”
    â€œWell come on.”
    â€œIt’s five to four, Warren. Not four. We’re leaving at four o’clock, that’s what you said.”
    â€œYeah, well, it’s that now.”
    â€œIt’s not four, it’s five to four. I’ll be ready at four. I told you I’d be ready at four, and I’ll be ready at four.”
    Warren Kettleman let the screen door bang shut behind him and went down the walk to the street, where his van was parked in front of the house. He unlocked it and opened the windows, and left the passenger door open, too. It was like an oven in there.
    The clock on the dashboard said 3:57. He knew it would read exactly four o’clock when the screen door slapped open and Wanda came out.
    And it did, too. Warren shook