Silver Rain

Silver Rain Read Free Page A

Book: Silver Rain Read Free
Author: Lois Peterson
Tags: JUV000000, book
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Others hunched down inside long coats or jackets that looked like they once belonged to old suits. They shoved things around, leaned one sheet of wood against another, tucked in a chunk of cardboard, moved a rock to hold something else in place. A bunch of them shared a cigarette, passing it back and forth as they shifted from one foot to another, their shoulders pulled up to their ears.
    Suddenly Elsie spotted a man in a long black coat near the back of the new shantytown. “There’s Reverend Hampton.”
    Uncle Dannell and Scoop turned to look where she was pointing. “Busy as ever, your Nan’s friend,” said Dannell. “Out among his people. Silly bugger. ’Scuse my language.” He spat on the rubble at their feet.
    â€œWhy silly?” Elsie asked.
    â€œWho’s he?” asked Scoop, his question falling on top of Elsie’s.
    Uncle Dannell answered them both at once. “The very Reverend Hampton tends to his flock by supporting schemes like this — a shantytown jury-rigged from a stolen warehouse. He can’t just stick to his breadlines and soup kitchens. Oh, no. He tends to men who’ve abandoned their families and now only care about themselves.” When Uncle Dannell scuffed his boot savagely on the ground, Dog Bob backed out of the way. “My brother is somewhere out there” — Uncle Dannell’s voice was getting louder — “though heaven knows where he’s skulking.” His cheeks were bright pink now. His eyes flashed.
    Elsie had heard him talk like this often enough. Nan called it “getting aerated.”
    And he hadn’t finished yet. “ My brother. Your father. Just as bad as this lot.” He prodded one yellowed finger into Elsie’s chest. “But don’t you worry.” Now he stabbed his own chest with his finger. “ I will take care of my family even if your no-good father won’t. You can rely on that.”
    Elsie thought she should defend Father. But what Uncle Dannell said was true. Her father had left them. Maybe now he was just another shacker in another shantytown somewhere. Maybe he had already forgotten all about his family stuck living in a garage behind what used to be their own house.
    And she was confused about what her uncle said about the Reverend. Surely it was good to want to take care of people? The Reverend came by to visit Nan most days and was always kind. He got aerated sometimes too. Talking about unemployment and people who could no longer afford a doctor. And children with not enough to eat. He had strong views about the System and Society — whatever they were. He said it was his job to help all God’s children. That made sense to her.
    â€œAnd now the latest,” said Uncle Dannell. “You’ll have heard all about it. The man’s all set to shut down the dance marathon.”
    He flapped his arms around him to keep warm, and Elsie moved away so she wouldn’t get hit by his big meaty hands.
    â€œHe spouts all kinds of rhetoric from the pulpit,” Uncle Dannell went on. Nothing could stop him now. “Banging on about degradation and humiliation. When people are just trying to make a bit of money. He offers the hand of charity to his hoboes. No questions asked. But a dance marathon that might allow a few poor folks to make a few bucks? Oh, no! We can’t have that!” He pulled up his collar and stuck his hands in his pockets. He was silent for a long time while Elsie and Scoop watched the men in the shantytown pouring tea into tin cans.
    â€œBut enough of this,” said Uncle Dannell. “We came, we saw. Now let’s skedaddle. Come on, you lot. You’re going to be late for school.”
    He turned around and started walking, slapping his leg to bring Dog Bob to his side.
    What’s a dance marathon? Elsie wanted to ask Scoop. What’s rhetoric? What’s degradation? But he had grabbed her arm with his bony hand

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