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chapter four, paul's time past (1910) third person pov
THE BREAKFAST TABLE was chatting with the sound of silverware clinking as the family ate. Paul's voice broke through the chatter, his tone was always the same. Dull and monotone with very little emotion. As if he didnt even care what he was saying.
"He pulled his knife on me, Mamaw," Paul said, looking at his mom with an air of betrayal, as though he were seeking an ally in her.
Louis, seated across the table reading his newspaper, didn't flinch. "You were disrupting Mother's business interests, Paul." He held his brother's gaze, his voice calm but edged with warning.
Paul shifted his attention to their mother, Florence, who was seated next to paul, her hands moving as she continues to eat
"D'you hear that, Mother?" Paul's voice took on a tone of self-righteousness, his eyes widening with indignation. "He's made you a madam in all but name."
Grace's face scrunches up with annoyance, "Oh Paul!"
Florence sighed, looking over to her youngest son. "Let's not fuss over the particulars, Paul," she said, her tone level. "Louis is doing what he thinks is best for this family."
Next to Louis, Estelle set her glass of orange juice down after she took a sip from it. "Maybe we should stay away from that side of town for a while," she suggested gently, looking at Paul. "It might help keep the peace."
The room fell silent, each of them absorbing her words. Paul looked down at his plate, eyes blank, the chatter about Grace's wedding continued before he spoke up again.
"We ought to tithe the profits over to St. Augustine's," he muttered, his voice stubborn. "Before this house falls in on us."
Florence shook her head, her voice airy not showing any annoyance to her son.. "Paul, this is only a temporary situation. Louis will find us a more respectable business soon enough."
"If Daddy were here," Paul retorted, his voice suddenly sharp, "we'd still be in sugar cane."
Louis's eyes narrowed, his tone icy. "If Daddy were alive, you'd still be locked up in that hospital in Jackson." He then took a sip of his tea.
