by Bobby Dennis
“Get off of her right now, you red neck
motherfucker!” shouted Ransom.
The Klansmen looked and saw there were several heavily armed black men. The Klansmen couldn’t see the men’s faces, but they knew now was not the time to reach for their guns. Ransom held a .45 in his hand, so did the others, but it was the menacing look that did the trick. The man that was raping Lucy Pearl had stopped and the ones holding her had all froze.
“Cracker, get off her right now.” Ransom said his voice filled with fury.
The man crawled from between her legs, then stood and attempted to put his penis in his pants. There was the loud report of two quick gunshot and the man screamed. Ransom fired the big .45 twice. The slugs smashed thru the man’s hands and shredded his penis and testicles. His hands shattered, the man fell to his knees, as blood spurted form his various wounds.
“Get a rope.” said Ransom in a deadly tone. “I’m sure they got one!”
Brooks, Turk, Price and Tim all got ropes from the milling horses.
“This one is dead.” Ransom said pointing at the wounded man. “This is what we’ll do to any cracker, that dares to molest our women!
The men formed a noose and tossed it over a tree branch, then secured it to the man’s neck. The other end they secured to a saddle horn, then walked the horse until the man was struggling and spasming in his death throes. They tied the end off on the tree and left the man hanging there in full Klan regalia.
“I want the rest of these asshole stripped naked except for the hood and robe, then tie their asses up.” Ransom said.
The men quickly finished the task, then they blindfolded them, which was fairly easy since all they had to do was turn their hoods around. They loaded the men in the trucks, then gathered the horses. They drove to town and tied the men behind the horses, then fired a hail of gunfire from the machine guns. The horses bolted in panic dragging the Klansmen behind them
Tyrus took Lucy Pearl home and the men dropped off their goods and quickly drove back to LaVilla.
* * * * Oscar Bellamys, Simon, Bernie, Bull Parsons, Con Majors, Cad Lowe and Shel Parsons rode to their destination. The men kicked in doors, drug people form their homes and generally busted heads. Always with the message that, if they kept doing business with Wellington someone would end up dead. They rode to the stables, got in their cars, and headed for town.
When they arrived the town was in an uproar and several members were in the hospital and one had been mutilated and hung.
“Who did this shit?” Bull roared. “I wanna know who’s responsible for this!”
Everyone just stared around, looking at each other.
“Let’s go to the hospital, maybe we can get some answers there.” Bull said.
The men drove to the hospital and went directly to see Anton Billings.
“What the hell happened out there Ant?’ asked Bull. “I want it all, from a to z!”
Anton, looked up at Bull from where he lay in the bed. Gauze was all over his lower body and you could see blood seeping thru in several spots. “Well Bull, we were on the way to do what you told us, when this nigger girl came stumbling out of the woods. We rode down on her and figured we’d have a little fun before we went on. I think the woman was bait, cause them niggers came out of nowhere, all armed with machine guns. There wasn’t much we could do. Tom Curry, was fucking the girl when they came up. They shot off his dick and balls, then hung him. Said that’s what would happen to anyone that molested their women.”
Bull looked at the man, but felt that something didn’t ring true with his statement. Just what, he couldn’t put his finger on. “Did you recognize any of them?” Bull asked.
“It was dark and you know if niggers ain’t smiling you can’t see them in the dark.” said Anton. “I won’t forget that niggers voice, I can tell you that!”
Wally came rushing in, whispering. “I told you what would happen if you kept pushing the niggers!”
“There’s more to it than that, I bet.” said Bull thoughtfully. Bull felt it inside that something was looming. Intuitively, he just knew it wasn’t what it looked like on the surface.
“Ain’t much we can do until we find who’s responsible, so let’s get on that right away. I wanna know everything!” said Bull.
The men followed him as he walked from the room.
* CHAPTER # 13 *
“Pa, I couldn’t very well have just walked away
and let them crackers rape the girl.” said Ransom. “I’m not saying you should have.” said Raven in
reply. “All I’m saying is you could have been a little more
subtle, is all. You’ve humiliated them, hung one and left a
sign for the rest of them. How do you think they’ll respond?” “I hope by hanging the one, the others will see that it
can happen to them too.” answered Ransom.
“It won’t,” Raven said firmly. “What it will do, is
cause them to tighten down. Everywhere they see blacks
gathered, they’ll go in busting heads. Whites have a different
mentality than us. They feel threatened, they attack viciously
never thinking to retreat. It’s worked for them so many times
before, that they think it will work always.” “In that case,
we’ll do the same thing. Never retreat, always attack. If we
put them on the defensive, they’ll change their tactics!” said
Ransom.
“I don’t know if they will or not, but I personally like
the idea of giving them a taste of their own medicine.” said
Falcon.
“They don’t ride over here, because of our strength,
but they’ll get bolder if the blacks in town let them run over
them.” said Hawk. “We’ve seen it before so it shouldn’t be a
surprise.”
“So, I guess you want to ride on the whites every
time they ride against the blacks then?” asked Raven. “The men all nodded their heads.
“I don’t think so.’ Raven said. “I think what we
should do is, show them they’re not safe in any capacity first.
I want stolen cars to drive thru town and if they’re stopped I
want the passengers to open fire on the deputies. They don’t
have enough men to stop every car, but I want fear in them so
they’ll let more go by. That way, insuring we get our
shipments out.”
“When do we start grandpa?” asked Brooks. “Soon as you get the cars.” said Raven.
* * * * Tyrus sat around with his people and they talked about the Klansmen and how they had rode and about the Klansman that had been killed.
“I’m telling you, them Kanes are some mean motherfuckers.” said Tyrus. “They didn’t take no time stringing that cracker up. If the rednecks know like I do, they’d pack their bags now!
“So where does that leave us Pa?” asked Price. “What do we do?”
“What we do is go to all the speakeasies in town and sell the whiskey. They ain’t gonna tell the crackers where they’re getting the stuff from. And whites only frequent certain ones. I don’t give a damn if they get the watered down stuff.” said Tyrus. “Hell it would serve them right if you let me tell it.”
* * * * Raven and Celia, lay naked in bed. She had one leg tossed over him and her hand tenderly massaged his semierect member.
“You been like a randy young boy lately.” she said with a satisfied smile. “Was it the news about the baby?”
“That and a combination of other things.” he said pinching at the pinky sized nipple of her left breast. “I guess it’s been a while since I’ve had anything to really get excited about.”
“Are you saying I haven’t excited you?” she asked.
“Woman don’t start that, you know perfectly well what I’m talking bout, so don’t play that game.” he said smiling.
&n
bsp; She knew perfectly well that she excited him. To prove the point, she pulled herself on top of him and guided him into her warmth.
“Think you should be up there, with the baby coming and all?” he asked concerned, as she bounced energetically on his stiff rod.
“Yesss…Yes….I… should.” she moaned.
After they had made love, she lay there in his arms. “I’d like you to make me a promise!” she said.
“And what’s that?” he asked.
“I want you to promise me that you’ll at least tolerate my folks Saturday night.” she said.
He laughed and hugged her tighter, then said. “Woman I was feeling pretty down on myself before you came into my life. You’ve made life more worth living. You’ve made me happy, how could I do less for you?” he asked her.
She snuggled deeper into his embrace, smiled to herself, then said. “Thank you honey.”
“You’re my princess, I’d give half my kingdom for you. Plus all of my love and my life!” he said softly.
“I haven’t seen Lucy Pearl for at least a week.” said Elisabeth.
Prescott thought long and hard, then said. “Beth we need to talk.”
She looked in his eyes and knew the matter was serious. She reached for his arm, as he turned to lock the front door. They walked to the back office and he helped her to a seat. Then kneeled in front of her and clasped her hand tightly. He looked up at her, then said. “Lucy Pearl, was beaten and raped the night the Klansmen was killed. The men that killed them came up on the Klan Raping her, and did justice. The Klan doesn’t know who she was and she knows who the men are that killed the Klansman and hurt the others.”
Elisabeth sat with awe, hand held to her mouth. Tears flowing from her eyes, she muttered. “Poor darling.”
“There’s more,” he said solemnly. “I’m Lucy Pearl’s father!” He felt her hands squeeze his tighter.
She looked in his eyes, and said. “I figured as much, since she looks so much like your sister Nellie.”
Now that he thought about it, she did look like Nellie. So where do we go from here?” he asked her.
“Just like we’ve done, except since we know she’s our child, then we give her the benefits that go with being our daughter!” she said.
“Do you understand why I told you this?” he asked.
“I could assume, but I’d prefer if you told me.” she said.
“I’ve been trying to help the less fortunate all of my life and I met one who stirs something inside of me. I love you, truly I do, but Eula has something that draws. That one inner quality that I can’t find words for. I was practicing being elite without knowing it. Here I am, a wealthy white man, with a mistress.”
“I can see where that could be hypocritical, but it doesn’t have to be that way.” she said.
“What do you mean?” he asked puzzled.
“I love you Prescott. More than life itself and I’d do anything to make you happy. I never bore you an heir and that has weighed heavily on me. I would prefer it if you bought both Eula and Lucy to live with us. There’s plenty of room.”
“Are you sure? People will talk.”
“We’ve always fought against convention, why should it be different now?”
He leaned forward and kissed her lips lightly, then said. “Lucy is in danger as long as she’s here, because she can identify the men that rescued her.”
“Get them here safely and we’ll figure what to do from there.” she said.
He nodded his head, then rose to is feet and strode purposely from the store.
* * * * Prescott arrived at the little cottage, he had given Eula the money to purchase. He walked to the door, took out his keys and went inside. Eula and Lucy sat on the sofa drinking tea. Lucy wasn’t too traumatized by the incident, as she had saw her attacker die.
“Lucy Pearl, I think there’s something you need to know.” said Prescott. “I’m your father!”
Both of the women dropped the tea cups and saucers they held, as their mouths dropped open.
“I want you both to pack some things, you’re moving in with me and Elisabeth.
Eula looked at him with wide doe like eyes, questions screamed at him from their depths.
“It’s alright Eula. Beth knows and understands. She wants us to be together, as a family.” said Prescott.
The two women moved to their rooms and packed a small valise, then returned to the front room where he still stood. They walked to him and he took their bags and led them to the car. They drove to his house, which was behind the big store. Elisabeth, came onto the porch when she heard the car pull up.
The women stepped cautiously from the car and looked at Beth. Their eyes asking her to forgive them.
She walked to them and hugged them, then said. “Your home. Welcome.”
They went inside and Elisabeth showed them their rooms. Prescott dropped their bags off, then they all went to the sitting room. “Eula, you’ll work in the store from now on. I’ll get to our domestic arrangements later, because right now Lucy is in danger, as are the men who helped her. Lucy, can you get in touch with those men?” asked Prescott.
Lucy Pearl nodded her head. “I know one of them, but the one that shot the man ordered him hung. Told me that if I ever needed him, to contact Tyrus Biggers.”
“Can we go see him now?” asked Prescott. “We’ve got to hide you away, until this blows over.”
Lucy Pearl looked at Eula and Eula nodded her head. Lucy Pearl stood up, and said. “Let’s go meet him then, Mr. Pres.”
“Honey you can call me Daddy, Pa, or Father.” said Prescott. “ Things are forever changed now.”
* * * * “You’re telling me, that you need to see the man who saved Lucy?” asked Tyrus.
“Yes that’s what I’m saying.” Prescott replied.
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do, because you feel the girl is in danger. You leave her here and I’ll get her to him. She won’t be away too long, because soon the law around here is gonna be plenty busy!” said Tyrus.
Prescott looked into his eyes, then said. ”Tell him I said take care of my daughter.”
Tyrus looked from Prescott to Lucy and noticed their resemblance. If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t be looking for it, but Lucy did resemble her father. Prescott left and drove back home.
* * * * “How could you just leave her there, with a man you don’t know?” asked Beth.
“She gonna be alright, Mrs. Beth.” said Eula. “They saved her from harm, they won’t hurt her.”
“Eula, I don’t know the words to describe what we are to each other, so let’s just say we’re sisters. I don’t want you to call me Mrs. Beth, Beth will do just fine. This is your home now and you won’t be treated like a servant. We’ll share all of the wifely duties, love making included. We’ll raise Lucy together, do you understand?”
Eula nodded her head, then said. “All of this is new to me, Mrs.…” she caught herself, then continued. “Beth. All my life I’ve been told how to act towards white folk. My folk told me, what theirs told them. Except for getting with Pres, I followed it. Cause I don’t need the grief. I ain’t use to bein treated like a white woman and don’t know that I ever will be. In this house one set of rules apply, but out yonder in the world they get different notions. And I don’t wanna bring shame down on you.”
“Prescott moved to her and held her tight. Beth watched how they interacted with each other and thought to herself. “I want to see them make love.”
“Don’t worry about what people will say, what’s most important is the love we share and what we think, nothing else.” said Prescott.
“It’s easy to see from the outside looking in, but you can’t know what it’s like being a nigger woman in these days and times. You think you could really know? I can answer that for you. No you don’t. Beth, I love Pres like I ain’t never loved a man before and I’ve always respected you and your home. When Pres wanted Lucy to work the store, I didn’t really want her to. Anybo
dy could see him in her, if they looked. Y’all done took me and Lucy in, so we gonna do you proud!”
Beth walked over and the three hugged each other tightly.
* * * * “Somebody’s knockin on the door, Ran.” said his wife Emma Jean shaking him.
Ransom rolled over, grabbed his .45 automatic, slipped on his robe, then he silently padded to the front room. He peeped out of the side of the curtain and saw Tyrus standing their with a valise. And behind him, the young girl they had rescued from the Klan.
He opened the door, and said. “Y’all come on in.”
Tyrus and Lucy came inside and Ransom shut the door. He looked from Tyrus to Lucy, then back to Tyrus, and said. “So what gives Ty?”
“Well Ran, it’s like this. The girl’s pa brought her to me. He wanted to meet with you, but I didn’t think that was wise. He wants you to hide her out, until this thing blows over with the Klan. They don’t know who she is just yet, but in time they’d find out. Then they would know who you are. Ain’t no sense thinking she would hold up to what they’d do to her.” said Tyrus.
“Good thinking Ty.” said Ransom. “You can head on back home or stay til morning, which ever suits you.”
“I better get on back then. Merly, might think I done started back cattin around.” said Ty laughing. He turned to the door, and walked out.
Ransom locked the door, picked up Lucy’s valise, and said. “Follow me, this where you’ll sleep. You can stay as long as you like.”
Emma Jean walked out tying her robe. She looked at Lucy, then to Ransom. Emma Jean was a big woman in every way. She was nearly 6” feet tall, well muscled, big pillowy breast, wide hips and thick sturdy legs. She had the classic hour glass figure. Her face told the tail of her mixed ancestry. The lips big and full, the nose flared and wide, the eyes slightly slanted with a hazel color. Her skin a sun kissed, honey complexion.
“This the girl I told you bout.” said Ransom. “She gonna keep you company for a while. She’s a daughter and I expect for word of that to get around, you hear?”
Emma Jean nodded and walked over to Lucy, and asked. “You got a name sugar?”
“Yes mam, my name is Lucy Pearl Shores.” she said timidly.