House Guests

An hour later Snake was busy in the kitchen helping Mrs. Grayson prepare dinner for her boarding house guests. Robert had chopped wood, cut up potatoes, and carried dishes to the table. They hardly spoke and Janice tried to avoid catching Snake’s eye.

Over a hearty dinner of stew, biscuits, and pie Mrs. Grayson introduced Robert Lee Jackson to her other boarders: Emma Booker, a plump school teacher in her mid-20’s who had a girlish face and a high-pitched giggle; Amos Reynolds, a short, fat clerk in the general store who appeared to be about 40 and who was definitely a know-it-all bore; and finally, Thomas Custer, a tall, thin bank clerk who wore thick glasses and who was terribly shy.

After dinner Mrs. Grayson cleared the table and washed dishes. Emma corrected papers at the dinning room table. Amos and Thomas played checkers and argued politics. Robert sat in an easy chair, enjoying a biography of George Washington while observing the other boarders. After a couple of hours Mrs. Grayson bid them all goodnight and retired. Emma left for her room soon after. Another hour past before Amos and Thomas called it quits and headed upstairs; Snake followed and, after washing up, retired to his room.

The soft, clean sheets felt wonderful against Snake’s naked skin. He quickly fell asleep. Snake had been sleeping about two hours when he awoke with a start, realizing that someone was in his room.