Fall Black In Love 1: When Henry Met Millie

by D. Camille

  Millie squeezed his hand. “I know. I brought lots of tissue, but I still don’t think it’ll be enough.”

  Henry put his arm around her and pulled her close to his shoulder. “Let’s just enjoy the ride.”

  Millie made herself comfortable against him and settled in for the long ride. She looked out the window as her beloved city disappeared. Millie began to think about the reason for their trip and sadness overtook her. Millie had always wanted to travel but never thought her first trip would be to attend the funeral of a beloved man and leader.

  Henry heard Millie sigh and felt her restlessness. “What’s wrong Millie?” he asked.

  “I was just thinking that I wish I would have been more involved with Dr. King,” she admitted.

  “I did get to march with him in Selma,” Henry told her quietly and she turned to him in surprise.

  “What? You were in Selma?”

  Henry nodded. “Yes ma’am. I hitched a ride to Selma then walked to Montgomery. I slept in the fields along the way but I didn’t care because I believed that Dr. King was going to set us free.”

  “What do you believe now that he’s gone?” she asked.

  “Now I believe that no man can give you freedom, like Brother Malcolm said… you take it.”

  Millie nodded. “Brother Malcolm was so wise.” She turned back to the window and began taking in the scenery. “My Henry is too.”

  Henry leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I really love you Millie,” he whispered and she smiled while cuddling closer.

  “I really love you too Henry Patterson.”

  When they arrived in Atlanta, the events progressed quickly and before long, Henry and Millie found themselves in the midst of over one hundred thousand people at Morehouse College. Millie had never seen so many people in one place and it was nearly overwhelming. Henry, for his part, made sure to keep Millie close to his side since he didn’t want them getting separated in this large crowd.

  Henry and Millie listened to guest speakers as well as the loud wails and screams throughout the massive crowd. Millie used all of her tissues and Henry continued to hand her more while using quite a few for himself.

  “Look at all these people Henry…” Millie said in sad amazement.

  “Many people loved Dr. King. He was a great man.”

  Millie sniffed as she scanned the crowd and wondered why a group of people so beautiful and kind could be treated so horribly because of the color of their skin. She thought about the atrocities that had been and were still currently being inflicted upon this group and yet they were still here, still believing that things would get better even with the violent murder of their nonviolent leader. Her tears increased as the weight of the challenge overtook her. Henry took her into his arms feeling the depth of her pain.

  “I know Millie,” he consoled her blinking back his own tears.

  “I want to go home,” she said into his shirt. “This is too much.”

  Henry held her. “The buses are leaving in a few hours. We can go and get our seats.”

  She nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know I would feel this way.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to,” he told her as he began leading her back to where the buses were parked. They weren’t the only ones who had departed from the services early as the bus was halfway filled. The passengers greeted the couple then Millie took her seat and sat back closing her eyes.

  This trip had been a taxing one. They’d stopped a few times at different stations along the way for bathroom and food breaks. The food hadn’t been the best and sleeping in bus seats was totally uncomfortable. At one point, Henry had held her on his lap while she slept.

  The services, all in all had been peaceful and uplifting, just like Dr. King would have wanted. Millie had met new people and the bus riders had been fun to ride along with even though the reason for the trip was one of sadness.

  Henry looked over at Millie. He’d known this would not be an easy trip for her and he was proud of the way she’d held up. Millie was a strong woman but she wasn’t afraid to let her emotions be known. He loved how she could be both fierce and tender.

  In truth, the events of the day had moved him as well…deeply. Dr. King hadn’t woken up that fateful Thursday knowing it would be his last. He had no idea there was a bullet with his name on it to end his time. That gave Henry cause for concern and made him re-evaluate the importance of things in this life.

  He glanced over at the most important thing…his pretty little Millie. Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips and she looked over at him with a soft smile.

  “When we get back to Detroit, let’s get married Millie,” he told her holding her gaze.

  She looked confused. “What? I thought we’d wait until I finish school and you get your savings that you want.”

  “I don’t want to wait. I love you and I want to make sure that you’re taken care of,” he explained. “If something happens to me, Ford Motor Company will give you a lot of money.”

  Millie frowned. “I don’t care about your money Henry.”

  “I care Millie. I want you to have all the things you need.” Henry squeezed her hand. “We’re already getting married, we can just do it sooner.”

  “Henry, what has brought all this on?”

  He looked at her. “To be honest, I’m scared Millie. I’m scared that I can be taken away from you and then leave you here trying to face all of this alone. At least if you have money, you can take care of yourself.”

  Millie’s face fell. “Oh Henry, I’m scared too. Everything seems so uncertain in life right now.”

  She hugged him then pulled back. “If you want to get married when we get back, then of course I want to marry you because I love you Henry Patterson.”

  She saw relief on his handsome face. “I know I’ve changed our plans, but this is important to me.” Henry explained.

  “I see that.” Millie stroked his jaw. “This has been a pretty emotional journey. It’s made me look at things differently too.”

  Henry finally smiled. “You can pick anywhere you want to go for our honeymoon.”

  “Not anywhere on a Greyhound bus,” she told him and he laughed.

  “I’ll drive you to Windsor. We can take an international trip.”

  She laughed. “I always forget that’s another country, to Detroit people it’s just another city.”

  Henry touched his lips to hers. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Henry Patterson.”

  “I’ve been that since I bailed you out of jail,” she teased smiling.

  He kissed her cheek. “I think you’ve been that since you smiled at me from the baseball field.”

  Millie wrapped her arms around his neck. “Who knew that’s all it would take to get a handsome country boy?”

  The two began engaging in a passionate kiss until they heard someone yell, “You two just need to go ahead and get married!”

  Henry lifted his head and yelled back. “We are!”

  The bus riders began clapping and cheering for them. Laughing Henry leaned down and resumed kissing her.

  An older lady approached them and stopped at their seats as they both looked up at her.

  “I just wanted to say that you two have been a joy on this bus. Watching how you took care of this little girl, even letting her sleep on your lap. You two have touched my heart that was broken over what happened to my beloved Reverend Dr. King, but you give me hope for the future. Seeing you young people working together and loving each other lets me know that it’s gone be alright,” she said with a bittersweet smile on her face.

  “Thank you ma’am,” Henry told her with a smile.

  “And you so polite.” She looked at Millie. “You take care of him now, with your little pretty self.”

  Millie smiled. “I will. Thank you.”

  The woman nodded before making her way back to her seat then Henry turned to Millie.

  “We’ll pick out a ring when we get back,” he began stroking her hairlin
e.

  Millie smiled naughtily. “And l’ll get to sleep in your bed all night.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Chapter 15

  Henry and Millie returned from Atlanta focused on beginning their lives together as a married couple. Her mother, Gina, had her concerns about the two young people but they were determined and nothing would change their minds. In the end, she gave them her blessing and hoped they would be happy together.

  Millie looked around her bedroom for the last time. Today was her wedding day and she would be going to her new home at Henry’s apartment after the ceremony and reception. She felt both excited and sad at the same time. She would miss her mother, and even though Maggie irritated her to no end, she would miss her too, along with Amber.

  Millie and Henry decided to hold their nuptials at the Justice of the Peace office during the week that Millie was on break from school. Afterwards, they would host a reception at one of the local halls. Both had agreed that they would rather save their money and not splurge on a fancy wedding. Henry had worked hard to accumulate his savings and with Millie still in school, they wanted to be responsible with their funds.

  Although, they’d decided not to splurge on the wedding, Henry had promised her a fabulous honeymoon away from the city. Knowing Millie loved surprises, Henry hadn’t divulged where they were going, but instead wanted to keep it a secret until they arrived.

  Upon their return from Atlanta, just as he’d promised, Henry had taken Millie to pick out a bridal set. She recalled that day with happiness, staring at the pear shaped diamond on her hand. It was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen and all the girls at school had fawned over it and the fact that she was marrying Henry Patterson.

  A knock got her attention and she went to answer. Before she got to the door, it opened and Irma hurried inside. She stopped and smiled at Millie.

  “Look at little Honey!” she exclaimed. “You look so beautiful!”

  “Thank you Irma.”

  Irma looked her over in the white lace dress that stopped just below her knees. The off the shoulder design highlighted her toned arms and shoulders and on her feet were matching white heels.

  “Henry is a lucky guy,” Irma told her giving her a hug.

  “Yeah, he is.”

  Both women laughed as Irma stepped back. “Thank you for letting me stand next to you.”

  Millie smiled. “Well, you did let me have Henry so I guess it was the least I could do,” she teased.

  “You’re right because I gave you a really good one.”

  Millie looked at Irma. “Seriously Irma, you’ve been such a good friend to me. You’ve taught me so much.”

  Irma smiled at her friend who felt like a little sister. “You’re a sweetheart Honey and a damn good ballplayer.”

  Millie took Irma’s hand. “Are you still thinking of going to Chicago?”

  Irma nodded. “Yeah, I’m going there in a few weeks to check on some jobs.”

  “I don’t want you to go,” Millie pouted, releasing Irma.

  “You’ll have somewhere to come visit me,” Irma offered. “If you ever leave Henry’s side.”

  Millie smirked at her last comment. “Of course, I’ll come and visit you.”

  “I’m holding you to that and if I find a guy to marry, you have to stand up for me.”

  “Are you looking for one?” Millie asked.

  Irma gave a wicked grin. “I’m always looking for a guy.”

  Millie shook her head. “I don’t know what to do with you Irma.”

  “Don’t worry about what you’re going to do with me, worry about what you’re going to do with a handsome husband.”

  Millie beamed. “I can’t believe I’m marrying Henry today. I mean, I’ve dreamed of being Mrs. Henry Patterson, but today is actually the day.”

  Irma studied Millie. “Do you love him Honey?”

  “So much it’s crazy,” Millie answered.

  Irma reached into her bag and withdrew a long box. “Well good, because he’s crazy about you too.” She handed her the box.

  Millie looked confused. “What’s this?”

  “Henry says it’s your wedding gift and he wants you to wear it today,” Irma explained.

  Millie froze and stared at Irma. “Well open it girl, I’m dying to see what it is. I promised him I wouldn’t be nosy and spoil your surprise.”

  Looking at the box, Millie felt her eyes water. “He’s so good to me.”

  “Okay, open the box.”

  Millie laughed softly and removed the purple bow. After, lifting the lid, both she and Irma took in a breath.

  “Oh, Henry!” Millie said in awe.

  “Oh, Henry is right,” Irma agreed. “No wonder he didn’t want me to look at it. He was probably worried I’d steal it.”

  Irma peeked in the box again. “And he would’ve been right.”

  Millie stared down at the exquisite necklace lying against the purple cushion inside the box. The white gold chain held a sparkling pear shaped diamond solitaire.

  “Well, let me put it on you even though I’m so jealous,” Irma told her.

  Smiling, Millie handed her the box and after Irma had fastened it around her neck, she turned to the mirror and stared at the beautiful piece of jewelry.

  This time she couldn’t stop the tears. “I’ve never had anything this beautiful.”

  Irma came to stand behind Millie, placing her hands on her shoulders. “Neither has he Honey and he knows it.”

  “Let’s go get you married to that man,” Irma said smiling at her in the mirror.

  Millie turned and put her arms around Irma. “Thank you Irma, I’ll always be your friend.”

  ******

  Henry stood in the courtroom awaiting Millie’s arrival. Irma was delegated to bring the Gaines women and he checked his watch as he waited. The ceremony would be small with just close friends and family but the planned reception would be packed with teammates, classmates and co-workers.

  Henry had written home and informed his family back in Mississippi that he was getting married. They’d all sent their blessings and wanted the couple to come and visit when they were able. He still had no plans to take Millie down there anytime soon, but instead was focused on their honeymoon.

  Henry knew how much Millie loved surprises and hoped that she liked the one he’d sent along with Irma. While out shopping for a wedding gift for Millie, he’d come across the necklace and as soon as the clerk had shown it to him, Henry knew it would look perfect against her honey skin.

  Millie had foregone a big wedding, so Henry was determined to make sure that her day was extra special. His new position had increased his pay enough to afford to do something very nice for his little bride. The necklace was his way of telling her that he appreciated her sacrifice and would never take her for granted.

  Henry looked up as Millie’s mother along with Irma and Maggie entered the room. He smiled in relief when his best man followed behind them. Henry had selected his co-worker, Jimmy to fill the spot next to him. Both men were dressed in black suits with matching purple ties.

  Jimmy walked up to Henry and the two men greeted one another as Jimmy looked around the room. “Pretty women,” he commented.

  “Make sure you keep your eyes on them, not my bride.”

  Jimmy laughed. “I saw what you did to Bill, remember?”

  Henry nodded. “Thanks for coming. I appreciate you standing next to me.”

  “Thanks for asking,” Jimmy scanned the room again. “I might find my own bride today.”

  “Do you have the ring?” Henry asked.

  Jimmy patted his breast pocket. “Right here.”

  The judge walked in and took her place, smiling at Henry and Jimmy. “And here’s our bride,” she said looking up.

  Everyone turned to the door as Millie stood waiting in the doorway. Henry thought that he’d seen Millie at her most beautiful, but today she’d surpassed anything he’d ever imagined. Her dark hair was in large
, loose curls and her face was glowing. She gave him that same wicked smile that she’d given him the first time at the baseball field and he fell in love all over again.

  Millie joined him in front of the judge after handing her bouquet to her mother and Henry took both her hands, feeling them slightly chilled. Smiling down at her, he gently warmed her fingers while glancing at his necklace dangling above her breasts.

  Both Henry and Millie said their vows clearly and before long the judge pronounced them man and wife. He looked at his new bride then lowered his head to kiss her while pulling her into his arms. Everyone cheered as Henry lifted his head.

  “Hello, Mrs. Henry Patterson,” he whispered to her.

  Millie smiled. “Hello.”

  Henry then lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the courtroom to his car. Helping her into her seat, he joined her on the other side. Quickly leaning over, Henry helped Millie onto his lap where they began their first heated kiss as husband and wife.

  Millie wrapped her arms around him as he tasted her mouth and slipped a hand underneath her dress. Henry kissed her until she moaned and began to arch into his body. A loud knock on the window shocked them both.

  Gina Gaines stood outside the car as they looked up. “We would like to see you two at the reception,” she told them pointedly.

  Henry took a second to wipe his mouth that was still wet from Millie’s kisses. “We’re on our way right now Mrs. Gaines.”

  “You two have plenty of time for that later,” Gina commented before she walked to Irma’s car.

  Millie watched her mother go then turned to Henry. “One more…”

  She placed her mouth on his and they picked up from where they had been so rudely interrupted.

  ******

  The reception hall had been decorated in Millie’s chosen colors. The room was filled with tables and flowers, along with a lighted dance floor. She and Henry held hands as they entered to cheers and whistles.

  The couple was shown to a special table as the guests were still filing in and being seated. Henry turned to his wife. “Pretty woman, I don’t have words to describe how you look today.”