Bargains in the Real World
Thirteen Stories
Excerpt
The Third of July
The night kept up one of those almost-silent rains until dawn, and now the mist
rose and leaves showed their waxy shine. Nadine combed her hair but decided not
to wash it. She pulled on her skirt and the blouse with cornflowers, and put
away the pile of sewing she had promised to finish before tomorrow. Nadine was a
seamstress. People brought their clothes to her to hem and make alterations.
Today was the third of July. Harold had left early for the field and would work
late so he could take off all day on the Fourth. Nadine prepared a lunch for
herself and another one for Miss Penny. Two days a week she took lunch to Miss
Penny, and she would take it today. The old woman was like a mother to Nadine,
ever since the year her own mother died, when she was nineteen. The year Bill
was born too early. She put chicken salad and sliced tomatoes in a small basket
made by Bill when he was six years old. She placed two pears inside and thought
of the day he had handed it to her.
Nadine Colby had been marr ... read full excerpt from Bargains in the Real World ebook
