Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Author:Jewell Parker Rhodes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 21st Century, Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Friendship, Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Prejudice & Racism
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2016-07-12T04:00:00+00:00

“Welcome, welcome.”

“My father. He came home to meet you.”

“Really?”

“No more cavities to fill,” trills Sabeen.

“What?”

“He’s a dentist.”

Dark hair, lashes, and eyes, Sabeen’s father extends his hand. “Mr. Demir.”

I act normal, like grown-ups shake my hand every day.

“Honored to meet Sabeen’s friend.”

“Thanks.” My tongue wipes my teeth. I’ve never been to a dentist.

“Shoes here, Dèja.”

All types of shoes line the wall. Thick walking shoes. High-tops. Sabeen’s brother’s? Patent leather shoes. Black loafers. Gold-threaded slippers. I take my tennis shoes off, embarrassed. I don’t have socks. I tug my pants down, trying to hide my toes.

“Grandmother,” Sabeen says. An old woman, slight, in a silver gown with a loose scarf covering her head, shuffles forward. Her hair is like gray thread, her mouth soft, her face wrinkled and sweet. Everyone pauses, watching, waiting for her to speak.

I tremble. Even Sabeen waits.

“You are a lovely girl.” Her palm touches my cheek.

In the room, there’s a kind of exhale. I get it. It was important that the grandmother like me. I feel like I’ve passed the biggest test. Just by being me.

Sabeen swishes off her scarf, and waves and waves of black hair cascade down. Hair thick like her father’s. I wonder if Sabeen’s mother’s hair is thick and dark?

“This is Uncle Ahmet, my father’s brother.”

Ahmet is much skinnier and younger than Mr. Demir. He doesn’t have a potbelly.

“Uncle Ahmet is looking for a wife.”

Ahmet laughs. “See, Dèja, the girls and women in the house want another so they can outnumber the men—me, my brother, and nephew. Right now, we’re evenly balanced.”

“What about the cat?” I blurt. I remember seeing it in Sabeen’s picture.

“Smart,” says Grandmother Demir. “The cat is very good. She’s had many kittens.”

“What?” Ahmet spreads his arms. “I should have kittens?”

Everyone laughs, and I marvel at how easy they are together. No silences, whispers, or tight smiles.

“Lunch is ready,” says Mrs. Demir.

“Mother and Grandmother made my favorite food. Just for us.”

A party?

“Too bad Yusuf is in school.” Sabeen grins. I grin back. We’re both happy our siblings aren’t here.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.