Missing Soluch Read Online Free PDF Page B

like cats and dogs? Yes? What happened? You seem in a bad way. Where’s he gone to so early this morning?”
    “He’s gone!”
    “But where?”
    “God knows. I don’t know. When I got up this morning, I saw he’d gone. That is, last night … I don’t know. I’m confused. Every night he’d come and spend the night by the clay oven, but last night he left. I don’t know where. That’s all I know.”
    Salar Abdullah sat a moment and then involuntarily said, “I spit on the father’s grave of any robbing thief! Just yesterday he swore a holy oath on the saint’s shrine that I should come by this morning to pick up those five pieces of copper.”
    “Which five pieces of copper?”
    “The same ones he bartered for fifteen measures of wheat from me.”
    Mergan said, “Well, he’s not here right now.”
    “So what if he’s not here? He made a promise. There were witnesses. Kadkhoda Norouz was the guarantor of the deal.”
    “So go ask the Kadkhoda for it.”
    “I should get it from the Kadkhoda? I gave Soluch the grain, so I should get the copper from the Kadkhoda?”
    “The copper isn’t Soluch’s property to barter. Do you think Soluch inherited these pieces of copper from his abject father? These few bits of copper were a trousseau from my brother to me! Now I’m supposed to put them up for a barter made by my husband who is God knows where?”
    Salar Abdullah sat silently, dumbstruck, then asked, “So? What about my payment, then? Soluch took my wheat, which you’ve all eaten, and what about me? Am I guilty that I have to suffer at the hands of his wife and children this winter?”
    Mergan said, “I didn’t eat bread from your wheat, his children did. Go tear open their bellies if you want and take back your wheat.”
    Salar Abdullah was losing his patience. His anger flared as he said, “What are you saying, woman?! You think you’re speaking to a fool? Do you think I’m joking with you that you would answer me in this way? I’ve sold my wheat, and now I want the payment in money or in property. Just yesterday Soluch swore an oath.”
    “So go find him! He’s not flown away to the heavens. He’s probably gone off hiding somewhere in these ruins.”
    “So you’re not willing to give me the copper?”
    “I don’t have any to give anyone.”
    Salar Abdullah leaned over and brought his face close to Mergan.
    “Look at me. Why are you looking at the backs of your hands? Open your ears! I want the copper.”
    Mergan removed her hands from the bowl and shook them.
    “So if you were to demand my children’s heads, I would have to give them to you?”
    “I’m not asking for your children. I am owed these.”
    “So collect what you’re owed from the one who you did business with. What do I know about all of this? Did I buy the wheat from you?”
    “Your husband did. Didn’t that same son of yours pick up the canvas bag and bring the wheat to your house? Wasn’t it you, Abbas? Didn’t you bring it?”
    Abbas looked at his mother. Mergan said, “He’s not of age yet. When he’s old enough, he’ll take the winds of the desert that he’s inherited from his father and sell them to pay off what’s due you!”
    Salar Abdullah suddenly leapt forward and furiously shouted, “So all you know is how to talk high and mighty? You’re quite a sweet-talking, rag-wearing one; you think you’re equal to me and that I have to go head-to-head in playing games with you? What’s wrong with you? You think I’ll let someone get away with taking what’s mine? If I have to tear it from the belly of a wolf, I’ll get what’s rightfully mine. So I’m not worried about you!”
    “Well fine, kill me if you can. I’m tired of this life already.”
    “To hell with your feeling tired of life. I’m just here for what’s mine.”
    Mergan’s heart was racing, and the blood was rushing through her hands and feet. She leapt up and screamed, “Get up and get out of here, you bastard! What a song and