The Taste of Rain by Monique Polak

Author:Monique Polak
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459820289
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2019-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY

Jeanette is singing us a song that was one of her mother’s favorites. “It’s called ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street.’” She swivels her shoulders as she sings a verse. “Grab your coat and get your hat. Leave your worries on the doorstep.”

We are so busy learning the song and planning how to change it for Mr. Liddell’s musical card (“Grab your mosquito net. Don’t forget your plate. Leave your worries at Weihsien”) that we don’t even notice Miss E. has come into our hut. She doesn’t clap to get our attention the way she usually does. She just waits for us to notice that she’s standing by the door.

“We have to discuss something serious.” That’s when I realize that in all the time Miss E. has been looking after us, she has never talked to us about something serious. Even when she teaches us geography or literature, she finds a way to turn it into a game.

“Is it about Mr. Liddell?” Tilly asks.

“It is about him. In a way,” Miss E. says. I’m so used to seeing Miss E. smile that seeing her now, without any smile at all, feels all wrong. Like I am traveling to a place I’ve never been—like when we boarded the steamer and then the train that brought us here to Weihsien.

“Is he dead?” Tilly asks.

“Mr. Liddell isn’t dead,” Miss E. assures us. “People don’t die from influenza.”

“They do too. My grandmother died of it,” Tilly insists.

“Well, they don’t usually,” Miss E. says. “But the thing is, as you know”—when Miss E. pauses, something tells me she needs courage to continue—“Mr. Liddell is very, very weak. He needs more food. I hoped it would never come to this, girls, but I’m going to have to… to… ” Miss E. lets her voice trail off.

“Kill Alb—” Tilly starts to say.

Miss E. stretches out her arm and raises her palm in the air. I think she doesn’t want Tilly to have to say it. “I’m going to have to slaughter Albertine.” Miss E.’s eyes are shiny, but she isn’t crying. “I hoped it wouldn’t come to this, Girl Guides, I really did. And I think it’s been good for you to look after another…creature. I know, of course, that you’ll want to say your goodbyes.”

I put my hand over my mouth.

Jeanette lets out a loud sob.

When I put my arm around Jeanette’s shoulders I feel how bony she has become. She feels more like a bird than a girl. And though I’m also sorry about the news, I can’t help wondering, Will we get something extra to eat too, after Albertine is killed?

Tilly makes a harrumphing sound. “Albertine isn’t a human baby,” she says. “Even if she wears a bonnet. She’s a pig, and pigs are made for eating. It’s only too bad that she isn’t fully grown. We’d get more meat if we could let her live longer.”

Miss E. swallows before she speaks. “Dr. McGregor doesn’t think we can wait much longer. Mr. Liddell needs to eat something more substantial than broomcorn and eggplant.

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