“Yes, ma’am,” Maybelle said to her oldest child, a teasing glint in her eyes.
When Emmaline Johnson wanted something, she knew exactly how to go about getting it. She was more determined than any of the other children and did not back down. Maybelle often teased her that as disciplined and authoritative as she was, she should probably be a drill sergeant. The girl was hard to turn away and went for what she wanted.
“Mama, can I go to the Thanksgiving dance at school with Bobby Joe Hall?” Emmaline blurted out before she lost her nerve. Once she blurted the request to her mother, shyness overcame her, causing her to cast her eyes to the floor. Emmaline couldn’t believe that Robert Joseph Hall, captain of the basketball and football teams and one of the handsomest boys at North Charlotte High School, had asked her out.
Emmaline just couldn’t believe it. She thought he was dating someone else. Not being a part of the in crowd, she didn’t know and really hadn’t cared until now. Because she had been teased for years by other students and sometimes the teachers, Emmaline had shunned any activities except academics at school. Naturally tall, she was good at basketball but chose not to go out for the team because the other girls ridiculed her physical appearance.
Thought to be a snob because of her shyness, Emmaline didn’t have many friends. She and her best friend, Sonora Ann Huffman, were like two peas in a pod. They enjoyed the same activities and were both highly intelligent. Neither Emmaline nor Sonora ever really put much thought into boys simply because they just didn’t trust them.
As a matter of fact, because of her height, a lot of the boys called Emmaline “Em-zilla,” referring to her long legs and arms. She’d had her share of days running home from school crying because someone had made fun of her dark skin or thick, coarse hair. She’d not had an easy time of it but was determined to make the best of it.
“Bobby Joe Hall?” Maybelle asked. “Do I know his parents? Where does he live?” she questioned, not trusting any boy around her baby. She had high hopes for Emmaline. She would not let a boy come between her girl and her dreams and ambitions.
“Mama, you know Mrs. Rita from church? He’s her grandson,” Emmaline explained. “His family moved here year before last from Chicago. He’s the captain of the basketball and the football team,” Emmaline beamed dreamily, ecstatic that he had asked her out.
Emmaline had seen for herself that Bobby Joe was one of the good guys. She had never known of him making fun of her or anyone else and he seemed so nice. When he approached her at school the other day, she actually looked around to make sure he was talking to her, really talking to her, when he walked up and said, “Hi!”
She’d almost run away. Instead, she forced herself to be calm so she could figure out what he wanted. She anticipated that he wanted help with his math or English homework as many of the other students often did. Emmaline had an established reputation as a good tutor who was willing to help anyone with schoolwork.
When he invited her to the dance, she’d leaned back against the locker so she wouldn’t sprawl to the floor from shock. This handsome boy was asking her out? There must be a catch, she thought. Nobody cute ever asked her out. She felt destined to date only undesirables in school. Now Bobby Joe Hall was asking her out?
She had the presence of mind to timidly say, “Yes,” before they both had to go to class, he to chemistry and she to math. All during class, she barely focused on what Mrs. Conner taught. Her thoughts were in the stratosphere as she pranced around on cloud nine. Just as she was doing now as her mother tried to get her attention.
“Emmaline! Emmaline!” her mother said for the second time. “Girl, what’s got into you? I said ‘yes,’ you can go to the dance with this boy. But I want to meet him before he takes my little girl anywhere,” she warned Emmaline, smiling.
“I can? Oh, Mama, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Emmaline bubbled ecstatically, grabbing her flour-dusted mother and dancing her around the kitchen table. She heard the front door close as her dad, Alton, came in from work. Oozing with excitement, Emmaline ran to tell her father the good news.
Maybelle had never seen her daughter so excited and happy about an after-school event. Emmaline usually stayed away from those things because she thought they always turned into something that could cause emotional pain from the teasing she always seemed to experience. Maybelle knew her oldest daughter feared being rejected because of what she knew concerning her birth into this world.
But life has a way of changing how we see things, Maybelle thought as she smiled at her daughter’s happiness. Her life was proof of that … and so was her husband’s. Alton was a changed man. Since his four years in prison for almost killing Emmaline and her mother, he had made a total change. Two years after he returned home from prison, he and Maybelle decided to get back together under the watchful eyes of their families.
Maybelle’s brothers made it abundantly clear to Alton that if he even so much as looked as though he would raise his hand to hit either their sister or niece, he could go ahead and reserve a spot with the mortician. They let it be known that they would gladly go to prison to protect Maybelle and Emmaline, but they didn’t have to worry about that happening.
After prison and anger management therapy, Alton made up his mind to be the husband and father he should have been from the beginning. He started by attending church regularly. After re-establishing his relationship with God, he eventually decided to go back to college to see if he could salvage his lost dreams.
Following the devastation of the beating so many years before while still in college, Alton never believed he could get anywhere with his life. He thought that all hope was lost and he would just be a cripple for the rest of his life. But God blessed him. He was able to turn his life around. He was so glad he had.
God blessed him through college. Alton received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He graduated with honors at the top of his class.
After graduation, Alton went to work for Carrier Corporation in Charlotte. The company was good to him and paid for his master’s degree in chemical engineering. Alton and Maybelle were finally happy. And they intended to keep it that way.
Emmaline ran to her dad as he walked down the hall toward the kitchen. Alton, eyes shining brightly with happiness at the thought of his beautiful bride, children, and life, opened his arms wide to receive his jubilant daughter. Giving him a big hug, Emmaline excitedly told him about the dance and the boy who had asked her to the dance.
“Wait a minute,” Alton said with sternness in his voice and the severest glare he could muster toward his daughter. “I didn’t say anything about you going to any dance with any boy,” he said, teasingly.
“But Daddy, it’s not just any boy. He’s Mrs. Rita Hall’s grandson, the one who moved here from Chicago. Daddy, please! Bobby Joe is sooo nice,” Emmaline emphasized. “He’s the captain of both the basketball and football team, Daddy. Please!” she pleaded, justifying why this wasn’t just any date.
Emmaline looked at his face, hoping he was joking but not really sure. She looked from her dad to her mom and back again as she considered what was going on. Both her parents hid their humor well as they “discussed” the problem.
“Well, honey,” Maybelle said as she and her husband continued to play with their daughter. “I had told Emmaline yes. But if you don’t think it will be a good idea, I can change my answer,” she said, glancing at their daughter, a woeful look on her face.
“But, but, Mama …” Emmaline said, trying to make sense of this change in developments.
“Emmaline,” her dad began. “I don’t know this boy. And you know I have always been a little suspicious of anyone who lives in Chicago. This boy might be trying to take you for a ride, you know,” Alton said matter-of-factly, unaware he was speaking prophetically. “Does he have good grades? What does he look like? You know those high-yellow boys are nothing but trouble. All they want is a little dar
k chocolate on the side.”
Finally, Emmaline caught the humor of the situation. Her dad was light-skinned or “high-yellow” and her mom was dark-skinned or “dark chocolate.” She caught the glint of humor in her dad’s eyes and understood that he and her mother were joking with her.
“Dad,” she said, exasperated. “Stop teasing! This is serious!”
“Aw, come on, baby girl, we were only joking. I guess our little girl is growing up, huh, hon?” he asked his wife.
“Yes, she is. Emmaline, are you going to need a formal for the dance or just a nice dressy dress?”
“Gee, Mom, I don’t know. I’ll have to ask around to see what everyone else will be wearing. We’ve got about a week before I will need anything. Thanks, Mom and Dad!”
Emmaline happily danced down the hall to her room to start planning for her date. She would be attending a dance, with a boy, a good-looking boy at that. What dances were they doing now? She had no clue. Soul Train would be her major TV viewing until the dance.
She decided to call Sonora to see if anyone had invited her to the dance. She hoped someone had. Sonora was so sweet and her very best friend. Even though they both wanted boyfriends, they didn’t want to just be someone’s joke of a date or anything like that.
Emmaline was happy she was finally going to go out on a date, a real date. Even though Bobby Joe’s parents would take them to the dance and pick them up, it was still a date.
Sonora answered on the first ring. “Hello,” she said, excitement flowing through the phone to her friend.
“Sonora, it’s me, Emmaline. What’cha doin’?” Emmaline asked, thinking about her impending date.
“Emmaline,” Sonora screamed through the phone. “Sheldon asked me to the dance!” she shouted excitedly. This had turned into a banner day for them both.
FORTY SEVEN
Eternity …
For I know the thoughts that I think toward Emmaline Ruth Johnson,” said the Lord. “Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give her an expected end,” continued Almighty God as He considered the happiness of the girl as she chatted away to her friend on the telephone.
God had continually observed this little one after her parents settled down to make a go at their marriage. He allowed all manner of maturity builders to happen to the entire family: the man Alton, the woman Maybelle, the girl Emmaline, and the rest of their family members.
Emmaline was coming of age. The things destined to affect her during this season of life would influence her greatly as she entered the military and later joined His Army of Holy Soldiers.
“Father,” said the voice of His Son, Jesus Christ. “What is to happen to the little one Emmaline Ruth Johnson in this next season of her life?” He asked, concerned for the fate awaiting her.
“Just watch, My Son,” Almighty God said confidently. “Even though there are things coming her way designed to break her heart and destroy her mentally and emotionally, she is strong and will overcome. The enemy is gearing up to take her down. But this one has the strength of the Ancient of Days within her. She will conquer all that will transpire.”
In the Unseen …
Ridicule, Rejection, Discouragement, and Pride sat high in the atmosphere over Bobby Joe Hall’s room as he schemed with his best friend, Sheldon Murray. It was time for the ultimate ruination of Emmaline Ruth Johnson and her friend Sonora. These two would cause their downfall to materialize.
“Will Rape be joining us today, Lord Pride?” asked Ridicule as they planned their attack on the two girls. Rape was a very big part of their plan.
“No, imp,” answered Pride. “He only shows up on the day of the attack. He is more like a special guest for the invasion. We only need him as the piece de resistance on the day of the dance. Don’t worry—he will show up in all his glory for this feast,” promised Pride.
Satan had attempted to get rid of Emmaline Ruth before she was born but the Almighty had pulled her through. Satan decided that if he couldn’t get to her physically, he would work an emotional and mental strategy with her. He would win one way or the other.
In the Seen, Bobby Joe’s bedroom …
“Man, she fell for it,” Bobby Joe Hall chortled to his best friend and cohort, Sheldon Murray.
They had plotted for weeks to ask who they considered to be the ugliest girls at school to the Thanksgiving dance. They were “but-her” or “butter” girls—nice body, “but her” face.
In their estimation, nobody in school cared one way or the other about these two girls. Smart but homely, nobody else wanted to date them. Bobby Joe and Sheldon figured they would get some good Boy Scout points with the appearance of taking them to one of the minor dances of the school year. Plus, they would get a good laugh if they could get everything to happen just right that night.
With the plans they had for these girls, the boys were confident they would have a good time at each girl’s expense. Sheldon, who grew up with both Sonora and Emmaline, would not have thought of doing something like this on his own. He had a good coach in Bobby Joe Hall, though.
Bobby Joe was notoriously recognized at David G. Farragut High School in Chicago for pulling pranks on less popular students. Always popular in sports, he had other students groveling just to get a smile from him. Knowing the power of his charm, he capitalized on his good looks and made sure everyone thought of him as smart, good-looking, and kind. Unfortunately, only two of those words accurately described Bobby Joe. And he was no less devious after moving to lame Charlotte, North Carolina with his family. He was still up to his old tricks.
After all, it was his fault his family had moved in the first place. Following that little incident with Rosalyn Chambers on homecoming night, Bobby Joe’s parents felt it was best for the family to move if they were to either keep Bobby Joe alive or out of jail by the time he was eighteen. Who would have thought there would be such a big stink over him giving her that little pill during the homecoming dance and then taking her home?
He didn’t see what the harm was. All the guys were doing it. So now he had to get back into the swing of things with this bug of a girl, Emmaline Johnson. She would never know what hit her. Bobby Joe snickered as he thought about how happy Emmaline had been when he approached her with the invitation.
“Yea, she almost fainted when I asked her to the dance, man,” he gloated with Sheldon. “But man, she is one ugly chick! She is butt-ugly, dude!” Bobby Joe said, laughing at his own joke.
“Hmmph!” snorted Sheldon. “So did Sonora. Man, I thought she was going to float from the floor to the ceiling when I asked her. Boy, I almost got sick from the look on her ugly mug. Yecch!” He faked barfing at just the thought of her ugliness.
Sheldon wasn’t a bad kid. Attractive and very athletic, he showed great skill on the basketball court as well as the football field. He had known Sonora and Emmaline for many years, had played with them when they were all kids. He couldn’t see the harm in what they were planning. But he didn’t know all that Bobby Joe had planned.
Bobby Joe and Sheldon considered themselves to be two of the most upstanding guys in the entire school. They were good looking, athletic, and hard workers. Surely, it would be OK if they had a little fun with these two undesirables.
“Did you tell Jenae who you were taking to the dance?” Sheldon asked Bobby Joe. In their own minds, they both had girlfriends who were just as good looking as they were.
Sheldon had already spoken with his girlfriend, Sussie Frye. She had given him the go-ahead to do what he wanted on that night. She would be out of town with her family for Thanksgiving and didn’t care one way of the other. As ugly as this little nobody was that Sheldon planned to ask out, Sussie was confident he would be there for her when she returned from her mini-vacation.
“Yea, I told her. She’ll be out of town that weekend,” Bobby Joe replied. He had told Jenae Brown what he was going to do. As the most popular of the students in the twelfth grade, they were known for the jokes and hijinks they normally pla
yed on the underclassmen. Besides, they usually got away with their antics.
Bobby Joe and Sheldon continued to plan their night of trickery and deceit with the girls. Bobby Joe had already contacted a friend back in Chicago who would supply them with the needed additives for their dates. He was sure it would be a night to remember for all concerned.
This is the Army, Babies!
Emmaline
FORTY EIGHT
Charlotte, NC: November 1, 1977
Emmaline, we don’t want you to go into the military, honey,” Maybelle Johnson tearfully pleaded with her daughter. She trailed behind her daughter as she went through her bedroom, packing a few of her belongings to go to boot camp at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Emmaline had looked forward to this day for a very long time. She wanted to hurry and get out of Charlotte. Her mother didn’t understand all she had gone through, all she had endured here in her hometown.
Maybelle knew neither of the rape that fateful night two years ago with Bobby Joe Hall nor of the resulting pregnancy. Emmaline had been drugged and raped that night following the Thanksgiving dance. Two months later, she’d had an abortion from the night that should have given her the best memories of her life. All she had to remember of that night were nightmares.
Neither did Maybelle know anything about Emmaline being viciously picked on most of her life there in Charlotte. Emmaline had never told her parents of the emotional turmoil she had suffered from people she had known all her life. Her parents never knew that once people discovered she was the daughter of Alton Johnson, she was rejected and ridiculed on all sides. She could never hold her head high because of that incident.
“Nobody wants you, Em-zilla,” she was told.
“Your own daddy didn’t even want you,” they ridiculed her.
The Baby Chronicles Page 22