Chapter 9Matt didn't mind the rain. It didn't really affect his job and to be working away on his furniture or clocks while rain dashed against the windowpanes was quite therapeutic. He also enjoyed the early afternoon. The rush in the sandwich bar was over and there was time to relax before either Niana or he had to pick up the children. They'd arrive, bubbling with news of their day and settle down in the staff room to watch television or do homework. About four-thirty, Niana would head home and he'd follow an hour later. They were really in a rut but a comfortable one shared by hundreds of thousands of citizens in the city.
The piece of oak Matt was cutting on the bandsaw proved to be stubborn with dust flying everywhere and the high-pitched scream filtering through his earmuffs. He fe
