Chapter 8THE DEVIL’S PICTURES
The August heat grew more intense. Dusk arrived muggy and stale. The birds splashed in Grandma’s backyard birdbath, trying to stay cool. Inside Grandma’s house, electric fans blew the hot air around. Uncle Walter avoided the trapped humid air in the house by sitting on Grandma’s back porch where there was a slight breeze. “Let’s set up the card table out here tonight. It’ll give us more room since Tommy’s family is coming over.”
Ivy helped him prop up the old folding table and even-up the wobbly leg with a squashed Dixie cup. The last time the entire family played cards together, just a few weeks ago, it had ended in angry accusations and huffy exits. Every gathering of the Taylors threatened to start another intense family quarrel.
Uncle Tommy and his fami
