An Elderberry Fall

by Ruth P. Watson

  “You didn’t answer my question,” Mrs. Hall reminded John. Mr. Hall bit his lip, and tucked his head.

  “I would defend you, Mrs. Hall. I am for righteousness and justice.”

  Her face relaxed and a grin rolled across it.

  Ginny relaxed her face. I had watched her green eyes squint and turn into slits when Mrs. Hall asked the question. Whenever she was perplexed, her eyes were the first to reveal it.

  “You need to leave Pearl right where she is,” Momma commented, picking up the soiled plates from the table.

  “I agree with Momma; leave it alone, John,” Carl pleaded.

  John cut a serious eye in Carl’s direction. Carl noticed and lowered his head. Afterward, John kept gazing at Carl from across the dinner table. It was as if he felt something was going on. I knew John; he had always been rebellious. He had defined his own path long before Papa passed. Even a few comments would spark a curious notion in his mind.

  “I hope everyone is enjoying dinner,” John said.

  “The food is fabulous,” Mrs. Hall replied, fidgeting with her napkin.

  “As usual, Mae Lou done put her foot in it; this dressing is real good,” Ginny said, smacking her lips.

  “It is pretty good, if I can say so myself,” Momma added.

  Simon and I glanced at each other and smiles rolled across our faces.

  After dinner was over, all of the women pitched in to help clean the kitchen. Mrs. Hall seemed to fit right in. Ginny was having such a good time; she decided to spend the night. John slept on the davenport, and Ginny shared Momma’s bed.

  Mr. Hall and John played dominoes until the wick in the lamp burnt down. Afterward, they had a stiff drink and we all retired for the night.

  The next morning, shortly after breakfast, I took a ride with John straight to the jail house. I sat in the car while he walked confidently up to the jail house door, his dark suit fitting him like it was made especially for him. He had a serious look on his face.

  “Be careful,” I whispered, when he opened the car door.

  “I’ll be all right,” he said, adjusting his bow tie, and flattening out his suit jacket.

  I silently prayed for him. I didn’t know how Bobby would handle a colored man with education. I was sure he’d get nervous, since he had always gotten away with dirt.

  John knocked on the door. The sound was intense and strong. I inhaled and held my breath. I grabbed a piece of my hair and twirled it in nervous frustration. I was afraid for my brother. Bobby was a cold, white man. He was known for calling us niggas and fools. His reputation was tarnished. We only tolerated him because he was white. And the community in Jefferson County was fearful of the white man. When the door swung open, my heart felt like it was coming out of my chest.

  I cringed when John went inside the jail. I sat still, locked in fear. I wasn’t sure about the time he was in there, but it seemed to be forever. Thoughts clouded my vision. I watched the trees swaying and heard the wind whistling. All I could think of was Momma pleading with John to stay away from Bobby. Just as I’d convinced myself to get out of the car and go see about him, John came out the front door. He was not alone. Ms. Pearl was holding on to his arm as if he was her crutch.

  We were about to pull out of the jail house yard when the sheriff rushed up to the car, his face flushed red, cold sweat trickling down his cheeks. “Now listen here, Pearl Brown, if I hear of any other person you know dying, at the blink of an eye, I am going to put your black ass back behind bars. You hear me?!”

  “Yes, sir,” Ms. Pearl answered, nodding.

  John glanced up at him, his face unyielding. “We are about to leave now.”

  “Y’all get gone!” the sheriff demanded.

  John drove out of the yard with Bobby still standing, watching with a defeated look.

  We took the left turn right back to the house, but instead of turning down the road to Momma’s, we took the road by the sycamore tree. “Thank you. I thought I’d be in jail the rest of my life.” Ms. Pearl’s smile had disappeared and the jovial way she normally flirted with men, was not there any longer. Her face was minus the heavy makeup and her eyes were sad. She appeared innocent for the first time ever.

  “You are welcome, ma’am.”

  “I promise to pay you once I get out of here and am back working.”

  “Don’t worry about the money. I’m happy you are free.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes. “It is nice to see you, too, Carrie.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Pearl,” I said.

  She turned and walked away. We left her standing in her momma, Mrs. Annie May Moore’s door.

  I couldn’t help wondering where the white man was who had killed Willie. How could he leave her in jail this long? I was positive Mrs. Pearl knew the answer.

  Chapter 22

  We left Jefferson in the evening. John, intrigued by the notion of a murder unsolved, decided to remain in Jefferson a few more weeks to do some investigating of his own.

  Momma turned up her nose, and placed her hands on her hips. “You need to get on up the road. Staying here is a waste of time. Ain’t nobody going to own up to that killing.” With an expressionless face, John did not murmur a word.

  Momma shook her head, and sucked her teeth.

  As we road back up 460 heading to Richmond, Mrs. Hall said, “I think what your brother did is honorable. I wish people had stood up for us.”

  I didn’t understand what she was saying, so I refused to comment.

  “When we were first married in New York, people would walk right up to us. Most would speak to me and ignore George. It was a cold and evil thing. I didn’t like how they treated him.”

  “That’s the past,” Mr. Hall said and peered out the window at the tobacco fields dormant for the winter.

  “When old man Freeman arrested you for no reason, I wish we had a lawyer like John around. He is not afraid.”

  “What happened?” Simon asked.

  “It was a long time ago. Freeman didn’t like seeing me with a white woman, so he tried to get rid of me. He told a lie, said I’d stolen money from a stash of greenbacks he kept in the safe.”

  “What kind of business did you work at?”

  “It was a hotel. I was the maintenance man. I made all the repairs, kept things running.”

  “How did he connect you to a safe? Sounds like something at a picture show.”

  “Freeman took the money and then had me arrested for stealing it from him. I never touched the man. He warned me, he would get rid of me. I stayed in the slammer for over a year. It wasn’t until his wife came forth and told the authorities the truth that I was released. If my wife had not been her friend, I would still be locked up.”

  “I guess we all could use a good lawyer at times.”

  “It is not easy for us coloreds. John is a strong brother,” Mr. Hall said with conviction.

  All of a sudden, I felt important. The Halls had an enormous amount of respect for my brother. Although I was worried about him staying in Jefferson, there was a certain amount of pride I held for him and the way he handled Ms. Pearl’s situation.

  We made it back to Richmond before nightfall. The Halls enjoyed their visit to the country and all of us returned with packed meals for the next day. Momma had carved turkey and packed dressing. She had wrapped slices of cake for dessert. The brown paper bags were loaded with the leftovers.

  It was a quick trip, and all the way back, Simon had inconspicuously rubbed my thighs the entire ride home. As usual, Robert had been asleep. I had forgotten about the people of Richmond when we heard a voice, “Y’all done made it back home?”

  Nadine’s voice made me cringe. Simon grabbed my hand, and we walked up the stairs and went into the house. Robert was still sleeping. The sun had begun to go down, so we put Robert in his bed, and we followed suit.

  It was as if no one mattered. Simon pulled me close and put his tongue in my mouth. Before he went on, I excused myself to the bathroom. I pulled out
the sponge I had wrapped in paper under the sink cover. I inserted it way up in my vagina. I knew another child was not for me. I returned bare, my full breasts moving with me and my personal spot exposed. I climbed on top of Simon, who had also undressed, and straddled his hips. The teasing in the car had me heated. I couldn’t wait to make love to him. As he cuddled his head on my breast and put my nipple in his mouth, I became loose. I felt like rubber. I couldn’t control myself. I moved my hips up and down and back and forth until Simon sang out a moan. Simon went fast to sleep. Afterward, I lay peacefully and peered at the stars from the window, searched for the Big and Little Dipper. The moon was bright, casting a glare through the window. I followed it until my eyes became heavy, and for a moment, Adam Murphy flashed across my thoughts. I closed my eyes and smiled.

  It felt normal having Simon home. I looked forward to cooking and cleaning. However, I longed for the days when I would return to Petersburg and finish my education. We fell into a routine. Simon left early in the mornings and returned late evening. I would have dinner prepared; we ate and then talked for hours at a time. Occasionally, Mrs. Hall would watch Robert while we attended a picture show or took an evening stroll. Nadine was always watching, like she had an investment in us. Neither of us gave her any time. Simon ignored her and so did I. It was as if she were a stranger to us. It was well with me since she had been so aggressive with my husband, but for Simon, I could sense uneasiness and a mysterious expression at times when she would try to spark up a conversation.

  “How y’all do tonight? It’s getting cold out here; the winter coming fast,” Nadine said, standing watching us from her porch wrapped in a wool shawl.

  I waved as we crossed the street heading toward the club where Pearl used to sing. Simon didn’t do anything; however, his eyes spoke for him. He gazed up at her and lifted his eyebrows. It was like speaking.

  The club was different without Ms. Pearl. It was plain now. The three members in the band made up the make-believe quartet. They played without a songstress and we listened. Heads were not bobbing, and no one danced. It was so mellow, I became sleepy. The business types preferred the addition of a performer with the band.

  “When will Mrs. Pearl be back?” I asked the waiter after he set a soda on the table.

  He smiled. “You miss her, too? She is supposed to be back before Christmas—maybe next weekend.”

  Ms. Pearl was the show girl and everybody missed her sultry voice and rich sound. Simon and I vowed to return when she came back.

  It was strange having Simon home. The subject of the Negro League was gone and forgotten. Simon didn’t mention it. We all were aware of Rube Foster, owner of the Chicago American Giants and his efforts in expanding the Midwestern teams. He was the key organizer and wanted to see Negroes get the recognition and exposure they deserved. He had teamed up with Tom Wilson out of Nashville, Tennessee, who was organizing the Southern League in a big way. Together, they were creating leagues with the hope of playing against the white ball players. I knew all of this had to be on his mind. I thought about teaching every day. Now, we were a young couple surviving in the city. I wondered how long the blissfulness would remain.

  Simon left early Monday morning for his job at the club. He said he’d be home late because they had to clean up after the weekend crowd. He was everything to the club: the bouncer, the waiter and even the janitor. I got up as usual, got Robert dressed and started my day. I washed Robert’s clothes by hand and hung them on the back-porch clothesline. Since I had been home, Simon had been home almost every night. I left Robert sitting in Mrs. Hall’s lap while I walked to the corner store. The owner was glad to see me, as usual. I had not been in there but twice since I’d left for school.

  “Your husband comes in here now and shops. Where have you been?” the owner asked as he stood at the counter wearing his red butcher’s apron.

  “I’m in school.” I waited for him to cut the sharp cheese.

  “Education can get you places,” he commented as he pulled out the hard cheese.

  Just when he handed me the hard cheese all wrapped up, I could feel someone standing behind me. The air seemed to be compressed, like someone was breathing down my back. I hesitated before I turned around. When I turned to look over my shoulder, Nadine was standing close to me with her arms folded across her chest.

  “You think you’re cute, don’t you?”

  I inhaled before I replied. I felt the warmth around my temples. “What are you talking about, Nadine?” I asked, not really caring what she had to say.

  “You know what I’m talking about. You and yo husband holding hands walking down the street. I spoke to y’all the other day and nobody opened their lips.”

  “Nadine, I waved at you,” I said, and walked around her toward the counter to pay. She followed close behind me.

  “Y’all act like I ain’t your neighbor.”

  “We have our life to live, Nadine. You are not family, but I always speak.”

  She pointed her finger at me. “Girl, don’t let Simon mess over you. You act like he the only man on this earth.”

  I turned to face her. “He is my husband.”

  She smacked her lips.

  As I walked to the door to exit, she continued to talk. “Wait; I am going to walk back with ya. Let me get some flour.”

  I wanted to tuck my head and run. However, it would’ve been considered rude even if she did deserve it. I waited for her to purchase flour and lard.

  On the way down the street, Nadine appeared more at ease, less bothered with us not speaking. I loved the cobblestone streets in Richmond and how they made the street seem rich. My path to my house in Jefferson had been a dirt road. It was a peaceful walk, even with Nadine as company. She didn’t say much, only small talk about cooking for her children. It wasn’t until we were almost at the fence in the front of my yard when she decided to antagonize me one last time. “Carrie, you a good girl. Simon is out in the streets.”

  “How do you know so much?” I asked her.

  “I know men like him. He is the kind with all the charm. You think about him all the time. When you fall for him, he got you.”

  “What makes you an authority on men?”

  “Jessie back, ain’t he? I treat ’em like they do me. It is the only way to handle them. Simon got you all wrapped up.”

  I frowned and said, “Good day.”

  She sashayed across the street with a bounce in her stride. She had finally gotten what she wanted to say off her chest. I knew Simon had been around. He had left Jefferson over two years ago. It was enough time to figure out how to survive in the city. Besides, traveling around the Eastern Shore had taken him to places he never thought he’d go.

  Dinner was prepared and ready to be eaten when Simon came home. I didn’t mention anything about Nadine, yet for some reason, I was glad Jessie was back. Maybe she would mind her own business. I wanted to forget everything she’d said, but could still feel the tension from her words radiating with me, and I couldn’t help cogitating on it all.

  Chapter 23

  My brother John came to visit a week before Christmas. He stood in the doorway brushing the snow off his lapel, and studying me with a serious scowl on his face. He was a handsome guy, average in many respects, and sharp as a knife. He was usually jovial, but for some reason he came, this time, with a frown.

  “Can I come in?” he asked, so serious I felt a chill, his chocolate face shining from the sun’s glare.

  “Come on in.” I opened the door wide. He stepped inside with a leather briefcase in his hand.

  I had many questions for him, especially since we had left Jefferson County knowing he was on a mission.

  “Have a seat,” I said.

  He didn’t go into the sitting room; instead, he pulled out a seat at the kitchen table. I poured him a cup of coffee, and then took a seat at the table across from him. “To what do I owe this visit?”

  “I’m on my way to D.C. I thought there were some things we
needed to talk about.”

  I shifted my weight in the chair, took a deep breath and waited.

  “You seem a little nervous,” he commented.

  “Well, I don’t know what to expect. You haven’t smiled yet. You worry me when you are this serious. What is going on?”

  “I just dropped Ms. Pearl off at the club. I gave her a ride back from Jefferson.”

  “I didn’t know you and Ms. Pearl was so close.”

  “We are not. She asked me to be her lawyer and handle her business. But Pearl is not the reason I am here. I need to talk to you.”

  “Now you’ve really got me worried,” I said, sipping on the bitter coffee. I really wasn’t much of a coffee drinker, but it was a habit I had inherited from Momma. She never started her day without it.

  John kept gazing at me, reading my every move and emotion. My brother had never been this serious with me. Most of the time we were playing, laughing and talking about all the things we went through as children. I’d remind him of the time Ms. Ruth slapped him at church, and he’d bring up the time Anna picked a fight with me at school. We never got tired of the teasing about the embarrassments we had tolerated.

  He stared me directly in the eyes. “I think you know who killed Herman Camm.”

  I was astonished by his comment, compelled to walk out of my own kitchen. Herman Camm was a ghost. Just when I thought he was gone for good, something or somebody reminded me he did exist. His name continued to echo off my walls.

  I turned to take a peek at Robert crawling on the floor. Then I said, “I don’t know anything about his killer. The sheriff has already questioned me. Why are you bringing him up again?” For a quick moment, Robert’s eyes appeared beady, just like those of his father. I batted my eyes and the image disappeared.