"Mary Rosenblum - Rainmaker" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rosenblum Mary)

MARY ROSENBLUM

THE RAINMAKER

Mary Rosenblum is currently working on a mystery series set in Hood River,
Oregon. The first novel Devil's Trumpet is due out in about six months.

Mary calls this new story an example of "American Magic Realism," but it seems
to me we need a better term, something akin to "Southern Gothic" that could
apply to stories of the Pacific Northwest (like the recent novels of Nina
Hoffman and Jack Cady). Hmm, that's a bit of a stumper. Fortunately for us all
we don't need labels to enjoy poignant stories like this one that explore
classic American myths.

SO HE'S A FRAUD?" DAD SAID.

"Well, have you ever heard of a genuine rain-maker?" Uncle Kenny cut a neat
triangle out of his stack of pancakes. "Sandy, I swear these could be Mom's
hotcakes. I never could get 'em right."

"You'd say anything for a free breakfast, little brother." Mom ruffled his hair
the way she does mine, and she flipped three more of the browned cakes onto a
plate. "Better eat these, Donny, before your uncle talks me out of 'cm. So how
come you don't arrest this man, if he's a fraud? You're 'the Sheriff." She
planted her hands on her hips. "It's a crime, cheating folks around here. Who
has any money to waste, with the cattle market so bad?"

"We sure as hell don't." Dad pushed his chair back. "Got to check those
heifers." He reached for his hat. "We're gonna run out of pasture in about two
weeks," he said in a tired voice. "Guess I'll have to ship a bunch out, in spite
of the beef prices. Once they start losing weight, I won't get squat for 'em
anyhow."

"Hey, you could hire this rainmaker." Uncle Kenny speared the last sticky
forkful of pancake and wiped the syrup from his plate with it.

"I kind of wish I could." Dad wasn't smiling. For a moment he held Uncle Kenny's
narrow stare, then he turned away. My uncle shook his head.

"John sounds like he wants to get religion." He laughed.

Don't, Kenny." Morn was collecting dishes. "It's tough right now."

"It's always tough for him, isn't it? This rainmaker dude is slick." He changed
the subject abruptly. ',He doesn't promise anything. Not in writing, anyway. If
folks want to be stupid and give him money, it's not a crime."

"He's trading on faith." Mom's face had gotten tight. "That's a sin, even if
it's not a crime."