Breaking Matthew Read Online Free PDF

over to the table, finally dropping into the chair across from me. I always liked it when she let her guard down and relaxed. Over the years, it had taken less and less time for her to reach that point during our visits. I even noticed that at some point while we talked, she’d drop the “Miss” in front of my name.
    “Where’s Samuel?” I asked.
    “No telling. That boy’s aiming to put me in the grave before my time.” She shook her head. “He said he was walking Millie Hatch home after church, but he should a been home by now. He probably found some other boys and went off to cause a ruckus.”
    I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “My brothers were the same way when they were fifteen. He’ll grow out of it.”
    She shook her head and looked more serious. “I wish that was all it was. I’m afraid he’s heading down a dangerous path lately. Been talking—”
    The door swung open, and Samuel stepped inside. He made eye contact with me, and I saw the hint of distrust he’d never been able to completely erase. But it was gone in a flash, and he gave me a smile instead.
    “Hey there, Miss Ruby.”
    Hannah jumped up and went over to him, swatting at the dirt on his pants. “Mercy! Can’t you even keep your Sunday clothes clean for half a day?”
    She brushed the back of his shirt, and he slunk out from under her hand. “Mama, stop fussin’. It ain’t no big deal. ’Sides, I’m just going right back out.”
    Hannah stepped back and put her fists on her hips. “Oh no, you’s staying right here and visiting with Miss Ruby! Them boys down the road can wait.”
    “Mama,” Samuel groaned. “I ain’t got time—” But he didn’t get any further ’cause she pinched the back of his neck. “Ow! All right!” He slapped her hand away and moved over to the empty chair at the table, which he dropped into with a loud sigh.
    Hannah came over and took her seat as well, shaking her finger in his direction. “You see? This is what I’m putting up with every day.”
    I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “I don’t think you have too much to worry over. Seems like I remember my brothers causing a much bigger fuss than Samuel does.” I smiled at him, but he slumped even lower in his chair. “Boys can be a handful when they’re anxious to prove they’re men.”
    Hannah huffed and crossed her arms. “Well maybe you can talk some sense into this one. Lord knows he ain’t gone listen to me!” She dropped her chin, glaring at her eldest son. “You want to tell her what you were up to last month?”
    “Mama!” he said. “Miss Ruby don’t want to know about our business.” He darted a glance at me from under dark, angry eyebrows.
    “Well, somebody needs to knock some sense into that head of yours. Go on! Tell her what ya done. I just found out myself a week ago.”
    He stared at the table, picking at a flake of wood. Hannah turned her glare at me. “He went off picking cotton at the Calhoun farm. Not once, but three times! After all the trials we been through with that place, he wants to go and kick a hornet’s nest!”
    “Samuel?” I leaned toward him, hoping he’d make eye contact. “Is that true?”
    He shrugged.
    “Why?” I asked. “Why would you do that?”
    “I just wanted to see for myself.”
    “See what?”
    He shrugged again. I glanced at Hannah, wondering what was eating away at him. “See what?” I tried again.
    “The life my other half is supposed to have.”
    It was dead silent in the room for a good minute. I sat back in my chair and wondered what I was supposed to say to that. Samuel continued picking at splinters from the table, glaring at them like they were the source of his anger.
    “Just ain’t right,” he said. “Half of me should be walking around that farm like any other white person, able to say hidey to who I want to, look any man in the eye I want to, or just walk across any piece of land I so desire. Half of me is free.” He looked at me sideways. “Should