Rain (Hudson 1)

"Why did you do that, Beni? You know his temper."

"I don't want him thinking he can lord it over us just because he's older and he's a man," she said. "I feel like some trapped bird in here most of the time with him saying don't do this and don't do that, and what are you wearing that for or why don't you wear longer skirts? I don't need any one telling me what to do," she declared. "He never says anything to you."

"He just wants to be sure you're safe, Beni."

"I don't need him to do that. I'm old enough to take care of myself?' She stared at me for a moment. "You better not get me in trouble, Rain," she cautioned and went into our room.

Mama came home before Roy returned to the kitchen.

She was tired and I saw she was disappointed Ken hadn't returned. I knew she had been hoping he would.

"Dinner looks delicious, honey. Didn't Beni help you?" she

asked, looking at our closed bedroom door.

"Yes, she helped, Mama," I lied. A lie to keep Mama from being upset was a good lie, I thought. She shook her head and smiled at me though.

"Sure she did. That girl doesn't lift a finger unless I'm standing right over her. Roy home yet?"

"He's just cleaning up for dinner, Mama."

"Good. I'll do the same and then be out to help," she said.

"There's nothing left to do, Mama. The table's set," I said.

She sighed deeply, smiled at me, and started out, stopping at the doorway.

"Thank God we've got you, Rain. It makes it all a lot easier," she said.

It nearly made my heart crack to see her lower her head and walk with a slight stoop. She was exhausted and full of worry. How could such a tiny woman hold so much grief?

We were all quieter than usual at dinner. Mama tried asking questions about school, but Beni remained sulky and Roy continued to have suspicious eyes. I kept as busy as I could and was actually happy to clean up by myself when Beni complained she had too much homework.

"The teachers don't care how much they pile it on us," she moaned.

"Just do it all," Mama ordered.

"Well, I can't do it all if I don't get started right now," she declared.

"It's all right, Ma. I have most of my work done. I don't need Beni tonight."

Beni rushed off to the phone to call her girlfriends as soon as she saw the opportunity. Mama was at my side and Roy went into the living room to watch television.

"I keep hoping times will stop being hard for us, Rain, but it doesn't seem to change. The first chance you get to leave this hell hole, you take it, hear?"

"I'll never leave you behind, Mama," I promised. "Sure you will, honey. You're supposed to. You children are the hope."

She put her arm around my shoulders and hugged me to her and then she went into her bedroom. After I finished cleaning up, I started for the bedroom, but Roy came to the living room door. He hadn't been watching television so much as biding his time.

"Come on in here a minute, Rain," he said.

"What?"

"Come on in here," he said more firmly. I lowered my head and walked into the living room.

"I've got homework to do, Roy."

"You'll do it. I want you to tell me the truth, Rain. What happened today?"