Awake Unto Me by Kathleen Knowles Read Free Book Online

for her to do that. Maybe it’s not the life I woulda chose for her, but I am looking out for her. She’ll be fine.”
    Kerry kept her face turned away. “No, she won’t,” she growled. But Sally was right. Minny was born to a whore and born to be a whore, and that was that.
    “Don’t let no one beat her up. She’s so small,” Kerry finally said.
    “I told you, honey. I’m her ma, remember? I’ll look after her.” Sally patted Kerry’s shoulder and leaned over and whispered. “If you’re done being sore at me, how’s about coming up to my room about noon tomorrow?”
    Sally whispering in her ear made her shiver. She nodded. She’d go because she wasn’t able to stay away.

Chapter Five
     
    George Hammond stood straighter when he saw the minister, the Reverend Egon Svenhard from their church, St. Francis Lutheran, enter the store. The reverend was a fat, sweaty man. He was unctuous and imperious, but he was known to ensure that his parishioners patronized businesses he favored. Those who crossed him could find themselves without customers. It was all done very subtly and George was anxious to keep on Reverend Svenhard’s good side. He needed the reverend to back him for a loan from the reverend’s brother Eric.
    “Good afternoon, Reverend Svenhard.”
    The reverend’s hard, glittering eyes roved over the interior of the store, George, the shelves of dry goods, and finally came to rest upon Beth, standing quietly at her father’s side.
    “Ah, George, I stopped by to speak with you. Eric told me you have applied for a loan. As his brother and your pastoral counselor, I am duty bound to advise him as I see fit.”
    “Yes, of course, Reverend.”
    “How large is your debt?” Reverend Svenhard asked.
    George rubbed his hands together nervously and blinked. “Five hundred, sir.”
    The reverend questioned George on the details while Beth waited on other customers and listened covertly.
    At supper that night, George told Frieda about his talk with the Reverend Svenhard.
    Beth listened to her father but watched her mother’s face and noticed she said nothing. Beth sensed her mother didn’t like or trust the reverend but would never say so directly to George and start an argument.
    “Theresa told me that Mr. Giannini at the Bank of Italy will lend you money. He’s lent money to her father for good interest,” Beth said without thinking.
    George turned and frowned at her. “Quiet, child, this is none of your affair and—”
    “George. She’s only trying to help.”
    “I would not borrow money from an Italian,” George said with finality.
    Frieda bowed her head and said no more.
    A few days later, Frieda was minding the store, and George was meeting with Reverend Svenhard. “Beth?” her father called. “Please come here.” Beth put down the book she was reading and obeyed. George rested his hand paternally on her shoulder and said to the reverend, “She’s our only child, but she is a very good girl, obedient and does well in school.”
    As her father spoke, Beth felt the reverend’s beady eyes staring at her and noticed that he seemed a bit nervous. He licked his lips and blinked. He was sweating though the day was mild.
    George said to her, “The, ah, reverend wants you to come to him for private Bible study.”
    Beth said nothing.
    George cleared his throat. “Come, girl, speak up.”
    “If that’s what you wish, Father.” Reverend Svenhard repelled her though she couldn’t say why. Beth usually fidgeted or daydreamed through the reverend’s sermons on sin and salvation because she found them both boring and frightening.
     
    *
     
    On the following Sunday, George spoke to Reverend Svenhard quietly after church.
    “Very good, it’s settled,” Reverend Svenhard said. “I will inform Eric you are an excellent loan prospect.”
    Two days later, Beth walked into the reverend’s study to begin her private Bible study with him, her stomach unsettled and her palms sweating, even