by K. Langston
Serve Christ, their race, and Texas.
They don’t go around dressed in white robes, masking their faces unless it’s necessary. They walk tall and proud, bearing the symbol of their heritage, upholding their principles of honor, duty, courage, and brotherhood.
The grand dragon takes his place behind the podium to address his loyal followers.
“Let us pray. O God, bless the Klansman that he may fight to keep Texas free from ungodly things forevermore, and their races as pure as the lily of the valley. God bless the Klansman, his home, his family, and his country. Above all, God, bless those who hate the Klan, for they know not what they do with their brainwashed minds, in Yahweh’s name we pray.”
A collective ‘amen’ ripples across the gathered mass.
The building holds close to two hundred members. Mostly men but there are some women. All of who are united under their common beliefs and convictions. Silence descends before the grand dragon addresses his devout followers.
“Welcome, my brothers and sisters. Soldiers.” His deep voice echoes with resounding authority. “I have called this special meeting in light of the happenings taking place in Harmony Falls. For a long time we have been committed to a non-violent resolution consisting of solidarity in white communities and around the world. But our world is changing, and as soldiers we must change with it. The hatred for our children and their future is growing and being fueled every single day. If we don’t fight for our own, who will?”
The crowd remains stoic and silent, absorbing their leader’s words.
“The attack on Olivia Bradshaw has tipped the scale. We cannot count on our police or government to deliver the justice she deserves. A white woman tainted by any nigger will not be tolerated. Not in Harmony Falls, not in Texas, not anywhere. It’s time to fight, brothers and sisters. It’s time to sharpen our swords and charge forward without mercy or consequence.”
Their roar is deafening, a battle cry of hate and revenge. Once they settle, their leader addresses them once more.
“After conversing with our grand wizard, he has agreed that we must make our presence known. We must stand up and take back what has always been rightfully ours. This is a new war, but our goal is the same. Victory!”
CHAPTER 16
Olivia
Grayson and I pull up to the courthouse the following day and it’s chaos, absolute chaos. Even worse than I expected. People are lined up outside, shouting and holdings signs in protest.
STOP POLICE BRUTALITY.
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
AN EYE FOR AN EYE.
My heart pounds in my chest as I take it all in and nausea rolls in my stomach. All of it makes me sick, especially the last one. To know people feel I deserved what happened to me because of what happened to Jamal hurts deeply.
Several deputies stand in front of the large crowd, keeping them at bay, and I notice one of them is Terrell. Making matters worse, a swarm of reporters surround the truck, all of them yelling questions at me even with the windows rolled up.
“Oh, God. This is a nightmare.” I place a shaky hand on my stomach, wishing I were anywhere but here.
“Liv, look at me.” My eyes snap to Grayson at his gentle command. His expression softens as he cups my cheek, and the warmth of his strong hands give me a small measure of comfort. “Everything’s going to be all right, baby. I want you to stay here until I come around and get you. Don’t make eye contact with them and keep up with me. We’re going in quick, okay?”
“Okay.”
After a brief, reassuring kiss to my lips, that brings a small measure of warmth to my anxious heart, he hops out of the truck and gets lost in the crowd. As he opens my door, I’m bombarded with a dozen questions all at once.
“Miss Bradshaw, how do you feel about the hearing today?”
“What are your hopes for the outcome?” Another one asks.
Grayson grabs my hand and helps me out of the truck then shields me with his body as we make our way to the courthouse. I keep my head down like he instructed, trying not to trip over all the feet that scuffle around me. The reporters are pushy and relentless. One of them shoves a microphone in my face but Grayson knocks it out of the way. “Back up and get out of her face!”
They don’t ease up, continuing to throw out question after question. One is fired at Grayson now.
“Deputy Taylor, is it true you have been suspended for using excessive force on Reggie West during his arrest?”
I grind my teeth and remind myself not to respond. My first instinct is to stand up for him. I hate for anyone to think badly of him. He doesn’t deserve it.
Fortunately, we make it inside the courthouse quickly. As soon as we enter through the doors Grayson comes to a stop and frames my face between his hands, forcing my gaze to his. “You good? You okay?”
I nod. “Yes. I’m fine.”
“Livy!”
Looking down the hall, I see Pap and Tania standing outside of the courtroom, waiting for us. We make our way over to them and Pap immediately wraps me in his arms. “Are you okay? Those bastards are ruthless out there.”
“I’m okay, Pap.” I turn to Tania and hug her, too. “Thanks for being here.”
“You know I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
I do know that. Tania has always been there for me. No matter what I was going through, she’s always had my back. When my parents died she was there in the pew, holding my hand. When Clint broke my heart she was there to dry my tears. And now faced with one of the most difficult moments of my life…she’s right here by my side, again. I couldn’t ask for a better friend than her.
Pap greets Grayson with a handshake.
“Hey, Walt, thanks for letting me bring Liv today.”
“I’m glad you did. I had some good company myself,” he says, throwing an arm around Tania’s shoulders.
I smile, my heart feeling a little lighter from the amazing people I have surrounding me. However, my newfound euphoria dims when we walk into the courtroom, and I see the place is relatively full. As everyone turns to look at who entered, my stomach drops when I see how segregated it is. The left side of the courtroom is filled with people supporting Reggie, including Jamal’s mother and brothers who are sitting close to the front. They briefly make eye contact before turning back around and dismissing me.
This leaves the right side supporting us. Our close family friends and some local farmers that know Pap. I’m surprised to see Grayson’s mom sitting there with a kind, yet sad, smile on her face. As I make eye contact with her, I try to return the gesture, but it’s weak at best.
To see the way this courtroom is divided is gut-wrenching. Right now, it’s about black and white, not right or wrong, and justice is nothing more than an afterthought. It saddens me to think about what has become of our peaceful town.
A soft, delicate hand clasps mine. Looking down, I find Tania’s dark fingers linked with my light ones. I glance up to see her watching me with a small smile. “This wouldn’t be the first time we taught this world a thing or two. Let’s take our seats, Liv, and show them what this is really about.”
Her beautiful soul brings tears to my eyes, because she’s right. This wouldn’t be the first time we took a stand together. When we were much younger and other kids tried to tell us it was wrong to play with each other, we stood strong and proud, just like our parents taught us to. We’ve never let the color of our skin dictate our friendship or our lives, and we aren’t about to let that happen now.
Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, we follow behind Grayson and Pap to take our seats directly behind the DA. Grayson moves in first, sitting next to his mother. Pap gestures for me to follow in next, then Tania, before he takes the seat on the outside.
“Hey, Mom, I didn’t know you’d be here,” Grayson says, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek.
“Of course. I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” she replies, returning his kiss before looking over at me. “Olivia.” She reaches to pat my hand
while giving me a kind smile. “I hope you don’t mind that I came. I want to be here to support you and my son.”
I smile at her kindness. We’ve crossed paths many times before, usually at the farmer’s market. She always stops by for some of Pap’s tomatoes and once she bought a pair of earrings from me. The same ones she’s wearing now. “Of course not. Thank you for being here. It means a lot.”
I introduce her to Tania, then her and Pap exchange greetings.
Mr. Henderson reaches over to greet me with a handshake after we’ve all settled in. Clint does the same, and for the sake of pleasantries I oblige. However, I pull my hand back quickly when his thumb strokes the inside of my wrist.
“Henderson, who the hell is that with West?” Grayson asks, with a confused frown, nodding toward the defense table. “I thought Gordon was representing him?”
For the first time since entering the courtroom, I feel brave enough to glance over, trying not to look directly at Reggie. I’m not ready to make eye contact with him…not yet. Instead, I take in the three people next to him, two men and one woman, all in a very intense discussion.
Mr. Henderson replies, bringing my attention back to him. “We were advised he would have new counsel just before we arrived. They’re with the NAACP. I don’t know what they’re doing here or where Gordon is, but I’m about to find out.” His expression is grim with disapproval.
“I thought you said he took the deal.”
Before Mr. Henderson can respond, the bailiff calls us all to rise. I stand along with everyone else, my nerves a frazzled mess as the judge takes his seat behind the bench. A placard sits in front of him, displaying the name Jamison Carter. He’s an older man with graying hair and holds an indifferent disposition. At his command we take our seats while he glances down at the papers in front of him and addresses the court.
“Good morning, ladies and gentleman. Calling to order the People of Texas versus Reginald Desmond West. I have a motion here stating Mr. West has retained new representation,” he says, looking toward the defense. “Please, address the court.”
The one closest to us stands, buttoning his suit coat. “Good morning, Your Honor, my name is Everett Jones, head counsel for the NAACP.”
“Mr. Jones, I have a sworn statement from your client accepting a plea agreement from the prosecution. Does Mr. West still wish to accept the deal?”
“No, Your Honor.”
I stiffen in shock and hear Grayson curse next to me.
The judge folds his hands in front of him, raising a brow. “Please stand up, Mr. West.” Out of my peripheral vision, I see Reggie do as instructed. “Tell the court how you wish to plead.”
My heart beats wildly as I wait to hear that voice, the one I wish I could forget. As if sensing my anxiety, Grayson grabs hold of my cold and clammy hand.
“Not guilty, Your Honor.”
Blood rushes my ears and a lump forms in the back of my throat as I try to absorb what he just said.
Mr. Henderson jumps up. “Objection. Your Honor, we have a signed statement from the defendant accepting the deal already. We’ve been more than lenient with our terms, so if Mr. Jones is trying to get more than what has been offered, I’m afraid he’s wasting his time.”
“Your Honor, my client is retracting his statement,” Mr. Jones states calmly. “At the time he signed, Mr. West felt he had no other choice but to accept Mr. Henderson’s terms if he didn’t want life in prison. However, after consulting with our organization, we advised our client not to plead guilty, out of fear, for a crime he did not commit.”
“Fear.” The judge leans forward slightly. “Fear of what exactly?”
“Mr. West was concerned he wouldn’t receive a fair trial otherwise. After his brutal arrest and the other incidents that have occurred in Harmony Falls recently, Mr. West signed the plea under duress.”
“Bullshit,” Grayson mutters.
I can feel him vibrating with rage, but I can’t seem to take my eyes off the scene unfolding before me.
“Your Honor, Mr. West not only admitted to the crime but we also have DNA evidence along with positive ID,” Mr. Henderson says, his voice growing louder by the second. “Now, I know Mr. Jones doesn’t want to risk his client receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole all because Mr. West thinks he was treated unfairly. Let’s be reasonable here.”
“They have a necklace that could have come from anywhere and a victim with a sketchy memory. Prosecution’s entire case is circumstantial at best. Your Honor, we believe our client was targeted because he’s a minority and was coerced into a confession.”
“We have the interview on video, Mr. Jones. I can assure you, your client was not coerced. Matter of fact, he was the one begging for the deal in exchange for the names of the others involved.” Henderson is beyond angry and the unruffled looks he keeps getting from Mr. Jones only seem to make him angrier.
“Enough,” the judge says, annoyed. “Counsel, approach the bench.”
Mr. Henderson and Mr. Jones both approach, their discussion with the judge heated.
“Can he do this?” Pap harshly whispers, his tone dripping with fury.
“Yeah, actually, he can,” Clint responds, sounding just as angry.
My eyes drift around the room until they land on the one person I’ve tried to avoid looking at. I catch him staring right at me, a malicious smirk tilting his mouth. My heart beats harder as those dark, soulless eyes stare back at me.
“I’m going to make you scream, bitch.”
I drop my eyes to the floor and shake my head, trying to silence the menacing voice in my head as I attempt to catch my breath.
“Hey, baby, you okay?” Grayson asks, bringing his lips close to my ear.
I grab hold of his voice and soak in the safety it offers. I nod but keep my head down, not wanting to lose it here in front of everyone, especially in front of a man who doesn’t deserve my fear.
“Let the bastard plead not guilty,” Pap fumes in a low tone. “That way he can be punished to the fullest extent of the law, like he deserves.”
Tania reaches over and gently pats his leg. “Calm down, Pap, before your blood pressure hits the roof. I’ll do the cussing for the both of us,” she says, trying to lighten the mood, but there is no denying the anger in her voice.
The courtroom falls silent as the two men return to their seats. Henderson is furious while Mr. Jones looks confident and smug.
“What’s going on, David?” Grayson asks, leaning forward.
“They’re retracting the plea and the judge is allowing it,” he replies grimly. “The judge isn’t giving long for a trial date either. Only a couple of weeks.”
As soon as he says this, the judge announces the trial will start in two weeks. My heart stops when the defense asks for Reggie to be released on bail, but thankfully, it’s denied.
After the judge dismisses the court and leaves, we all stand. I keep my gaze away from everyone, wanting to get out of the stifling room. We file out quietly, our moods somber. I barely register saying goodbye to Grayson’s mom as she walks out before us, my head reeling at what just went down. I hate knowing that this is going to be dragged out, and I can’t help but fear what the near future holds for us all.
I’m pulled from my tortured thoughts when we make it outside. Between the shouts and chants from the angry protestors to being instantly bombarded by reporters, it all becomes too much.
“Come on. Let’s get out of here,” Grayson grinds out. Just as we are about to descend the courthouse steps, a voice echoes over the crowd, overshadowing the chaos.
“Racial purity is America’s security!”
The hateful words being shouted through a megaphone bring us all to a stop on the concrete steps. I turn from under the shelter of Grayson’s arm and gasp at the sight before me.
“Jesus Christ,” Grayson curses, sounding as shocked as I feel.
We stare at the mass of people approaching, draped in robes, faces hidden benea
th hoods. They’re holding up signs and the words written on them are enough to make my blood boil.
WHITE POWER.
GOD is WHITE.
KLAN out NOW.
“What the hell?” Tania says, her tone filled with anger and fear.
The reporters all stand stunned for only a second before flocking down to the scene.
A new fear consumes me as the group moves in fast and purposefully, heading straight toward the angry protestors. All of who are even more agitated with their arrival. A few more police officers come running out of the courthouse and down the steps, but it’s too late. Chaos erupts, both groups striking out hard and fast.
“Shit!” Grayson pushes Tania and me toward Pap. “Walter, get them out of here, now.”
I clasp his arm before he can take off. “Wait, where are you going?”
“To help.”
I shake my head, my chest squeezing in fear. “No, Grayson, please come with us. Don’t stay here. I’m scared for you.”
“Liv, they need me, they don’t have enough officers out there.”
“But—”
“I’ll be okay, I promise. I’ll come by after.” With a quick kiss he’s gone, running into a ring of hatred, and leaving me with an overwhelming fear for him, for us, and for our once peaceful town.
God, what is happening?
CHAPTER 17
Grayson
Adrenaline rushes through me hot and fast as I shove through the barrage of reporters to the center of the storm, hating that I had to leave Liv, but I have no choice, they need me.
It’s a sea of hate filled with white on one side and raging, dark waters on the other. The words being shouted back and forth are filled with venom, striking each side with equal fervor. I spot Terrell in the middle of it all, trying to keep the peace, but there are just too many people and not enough men to hold them all back. Before I can get to him, anarchy ensues, and a group of the masked motherfuckers are on him.
I push myself faster and fight my way through, knocking several people out of my way. One asshole really gets a good lick in, punching me square in the mouth. I slug him back, dropping him to the ground before continuing to push my way to Terrell. Even with three-on-one he puts up a good fight, but not good enough. Fear rushes through me, as I see him getting pummeled.