Читать книгу Stranger at the Gates - Tracy Sugarman - Страница 13

I followed Dale as Mac held open the screen door. We stepped into the warm shadow of Mrs. Williams’ living room. She stood at the door as we moved, blinking, inside, wiping her hands on the striped apron that was tied around her ample middle. Mahogany skin glowed in the dim light of the room, but a bright reflection from the doorway was caught on the panes of her glasses. The lens of one was cracked horizontally across the center, but the fractures could not disguise the wide-eyed, humorous appraisal she was giving me. Her head tilted back, for she was quite short, and she took my extended hand with a warm smile. “Why, I’m so glad to meet you! Won’t y’all come in and set down for a while?” She pulled some rockers near the open door where there was a chance for a whisper of breeze. “How have you been, Mac-Laurin? I ain’t seen you since you got back from Ohio.” She gave a sly, sideways smile at McLaurin, full of playfulness and affection. “Don’ hardly seem the same with Mac-Laurin holdin’ meetin’s at the Chapel. Girls been askin’ for you, Mac-Laurin. When’s Mac-Laurin comin’ back? When’s Mac-Laurin comin’ back?” She watched him flush with embarrassment and her head rocked back. She hooted with laughter.