The Orange Grove by Larry Tremblay Read Free Book Online

at the same time comforting to hear his father talking to him this way.
    â€œWe live every day in the fear that it will be our last. We don’t sleep very well and when we do sleep, nightmares stalk us. Entire villages are destroyed every week. Our dead grow in number. The war gets worse, Amed. We have no choice. The bomb that destroyed your grandparents’ house came from the other side of the mountain. You know that, right? More bombswill come from that cursed place. Every morning, when I open my eyes and see that the orange grove is still there under the sun, I thank God for this miracle. Amed, if I could, I would take your place. Your mother, too, wouldn’t hesitate for a second. Nor your brother. Especially your brother, who loves you so much. Soulayed will return. It’s he who will take you to the foot of the mountain. He’ll come back soon with his jeep, in a few days or perhaps in a few weeks, but certainly before the harvest. It’s you who will wear the belt.”
    Zahed opened the canvas bag. His hands trembled slightly. Amed saw this despite the shed’s dim light. Watching his father, Amed imagined that he was extricating something from the bag that was alive, grey or green, a mysterious and dangerous animal.
    â€œI must tell you something else. Your brother is not yet cured. He could not wear the belt. He’s too weak. That’s why I chose you.”
    â€œAnd if Aziz were not sick, who would you have chosen?” asked Amed, with a composure that surprised his father.
    For a long moment, Zahed didn’t know howto answer his son, who was already regretting the question. Amed knew that his brother was very sick, and that he would never be cured. Tamara had left no doubt in Amed’s mind as to the seriousness of Aziz’s illness. He was going to die. Just like Amed, if he didn’t trade places with his brother.
    â€œI would have asked the oranges to decide in my stead.”
    â€œThe oranges?”
    â€œHere’s what I would have done: I’d have given an orange to your brother, and another to you. The one who found the most seeds in his orange, he’s the one who would have left.”
    Amed smiled. Zahed stood up. The way he held the belt of explosives in his hands lent the object a solemn importance. Amed then saw that it was not at all like what he and his brother had cobbled together to amuse themselves. It seemed heavy and malign. Amed went near and touched it gingerly.
    â€œDo you want to take it?”
    â€œIsn’t it dangerous?” asked Amed, drawing back a step.
    â€œNo. It’s not connected to the detonator. Youknow, that’s what will enable you to . . . well, you know what I mean.”
    Amed knew what a detonator was. His father handed him the belt.
    â€œSoulayed made me understand that you should love the belt. That you should see it as part of yourself. You can wear it whenever you like. You must accustom yourself to its weight, to its touch. But never take it out of here. You understand? And above all, don’t come here with your brother. That would only complicate things.”
    â€œI promise.”
    â€œYou’re not afraid?”
    â€œNo,” Amed lied, “I’m not afraid.”
    â€œYou’re brave. I’m proud of you. We’re all proud of you.”
    There was a long silence, during which Zahed no longer dared to look at his son.
    â€œHere, this is the key to the lock. From now on, you can come here whenever you want.”
    Zahed bent over Amed and placed a kiss on his brow. Then he walked away. When he opened the door, light streamed into the shed, blinding Amed. Once the door was closed, he foundhimself again in darkness, the belt in his hands. He hardly dared breathe. Suddenly, he thought he saw a face appear, floating in space.
    â€œGrandfather, is it you?”
    Amed was certain he’d seen his grandfather Mounir’s face. He knew he was dead and buried in the