"Emily Gaskin - The Green Corn Dance" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gaskin Emily)

of their eternal love.


When I married Steve years later, my father grumbled that Grandmother should
tell different stories.


This night, like so many others, I lie awake and watch over Steve. He does not
know I do this, for I lie very still and quiet until I hear his breathing change and
see the softness fall into his face.


The moon comes down slowly through the window pane. My body becomes stiff
from the waiting, and my eyes dry out. The baby makes my stomach restless. I
watch all night, but no one comes.


I watch his eyes racing like river water under his eyelids, and I wonder what he
sees.


We meet for lunch at Ling's. I am not good with the chopsticks, but today I
exaggerate my clumsiness, hoping to bring the sun back into Steve's face. He
does not seem to notice.


Before long, the conversation turns, away from talk of another bad day at work.
Steve's had so many lately, but he assures me no one has said anything to him
about it yet. But I wonder.


"So," he says, drawing out the O. "You going back home in spring?"


"For the Green Corn Dance?" I stare into my rice, picking with the chopsticks.
"No, I had not thought I would this year."


"Why not?" Steve frowns. "You can't not go, Betty. Especially this year, when
we have our own special harvest to celebrate."


"But--" How can I tell him the strangeness I feel, in the midst of all the clans,
knowing my husband is not at the dance ground with the men? "It is not as it
once was," I say helplessly. "When I was a small girl, it was everything. It is not
so important now. Besides, there is the baby."


"The baby? How could that stop you? I thought you Seminole women had your
babies out in the woods."