The Color Of The Soul (The Penbrook Diaries)

by Tracey Bateman

  A honk, a roaring motor, and the crash of pain on the side of his head all yanked Andy from long-buried memories. He hit the dirt amid shouts of laughter. His case flew from his grasp and popped open. On hands and knees, he scurried to retrieve the papers that were scattering in the breeze.

  A truck skidded to a halt and five white boys, three of whom he recognized, hopped out. A telltale beer bottle in the dirt near his face solved the mystery as to what had knocked him in the head.

  “What are you doing back on our road, boy?” Fat, freckled, red-headed Gabe. He remembered the boy from his first day back in Oak Junction. Still up to no good.

  “Nothin’, suh,” Andy said, rising to his feet. “I’s jus’ walkin’.”

  Gabe snatched Andy’s jacket. “Why you all dressed up? You going prowling? Caught the scent of a fresh young nigga gal?”

  “No, suh.”

  “Maybe you think you’re too good for a colored? You after a white girl?”

  Oh, God. Help.

  “Oh, no suh, no suh.”

  “What’s that you’re carrying there?”

  He clutched his case containing all of his notes from the diaries and his conversations with Miss Penbrook. “What, this?” He hoped his eyes conveyed ignorance. “This ain’t nothin’ but a bunch o’ papers Ol’ Miz Penbrook axed me to carry to town for her.”

  “Miss Penbrook?” A slightly built, handsome man came forward, his brown eyes snapping, not in anger but something else. Something akin to curiosity. He snatched the case from Andy’s hand. “What’s she doing sending papers to town with a colored?”

  “I don’ know, suh.”

  The man scrutinized him, and Andy knew he saw more than the rest. His gaze drifted over Andy’s clothing. “You’re not from around here.”

  “No, suh.”

  “From the North?”

  Andy nodded.

  The redhead laughed without humor. “Looks like we got us a real live uppity Yankee colored. What do you say we teach him his place?”

  “Wait.” The other man raised his hand. “What are you doing down here with Miss Penbrook? And stop the ignorant act.”

  Andy gathered a breath. “She hired me to write her memoirs.”

  The man’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a writer?”

  “Yes.”

  “See what I mean? Uppity.”

  The man glared at the redhead. “Shut up, Gabe.” He turned back to Andy. “Why would Miss Penbrook hire on a colored from the North to write her memoirs?”

  Andy shrugged. “I’ve been trying to figure that one out myself.”

  “Aw, Sam, he’s too ignorant to figure anything out. Let’s just string him up.”

  “Shut up, Gabe!”

  The redhead seemed stunned to silence.

  The man stared Andy hard in the eye. “Where’d you say you were born?”

  “I come from Chicago.”

  The man called Sam narrowed his gaze. “That’s not what I asked.”

  “I was born around here. I don’t remember much about living here, though. I moved north when I was ten.”

  Anger fired in Sam’s eyes. His face reddened. “What’s your whore mama’s name?”

  Andy squeezed his hands into fists to keep from lashing out. “My mother was no whore, mister.”

  Sam stepped forward, nose to nose with Andy. The stink of alcohol on his breath, combined with the stale stench of tobacco, churned Andy’s gut. Sam bared stained teeth and practically growled. “Her name?”

  “Rae Carmichael.”

  The young man’s eyes took on a wild fury, and he sprang before Andy could brace himself or step aside. They crashed heavily to the ground, rolling. The case flew from his hands again. Andy knew better than to fight back. He covered his head and took the blows.

  “Fight me, you worthless nigger!” Sam shoved Andy’s face in the dirt.

  Andy clamped his lips shut against the rocks and dirt and shook his head vehemently.

  “Fight me!”

  “No! I’m not giving you an excuse to hang me.”

  A stream of violent expletives shot from Sam’s lips. “I don’t need an excuse.” Sam shoved up from the ground and turned to his friends. “Get a rope.”

  Disbelief shot through Andy as two of the thugs hauled him to his feet. How could this be happening?

  Chicago

  “I’m going, Mama.” Lexie snapped her suitcase shut and grabbed the handle, sliding the burden off the bed. “Nothing you say is going to change my mind.”

  “Honey, you ain’t never been down South. You don’t know what I knows. That husband o’ yours’ll be back soon enough. Ain’t no need fo’ you to put yourself in danger.”

  “It’s important. Too important to leave anything to chance. Andy may not even be planning to come back to me. I have to get to him before he does something stupid.”

  “Nothin’ more stupid than traipsin’ off to somewhere you ain’t got no business traipsin’.”

  Lexie stopped at the fear-filled brown eyes. She set her bag on the floor. “Mama, listen. Andy was furious about Robert being here the other night. He thinks I’m doing more than I was with Robert, and that alone might cause him to turn to someone else. Or. . .I don’t know, I just have a bad feeling. He needs me.”

  Tears flooded the soft, dark eyes. “Call the roomin’ house where he’s stayin’ and at least let him know to expect you. That way he’ll be at the station waitin’ when you gets there.”

  Lexie hesitated. As much as she preferred to surprise Andy, it might not be a bad idea to have him waiting when she arrived. “All right, Mama. Dry your eyes. I’ll put in a call to Oak Junction and talk to Andy before I leave.”

  Georgia

  Andy scrambled to keep his footing as the white boys led him like a dog on a leash to the back of the truck. Oh, God, they were going to drag him? Better to be hung. Every ounce of dignity within him fought against a swelling tide of tears. He fought against the urge to plead for his life. A futile plea, he knew.

  The rope burned his wrists. Fear tore the breath from his lungs as he faced the inevitability of the next few minutes. The only possible outcome could be death.

  Lexie’s precious face flashed before him. If he had another chance, he’d tell her that she was the only woman he’d ever loved. The only woman he ever could love. He’d beg her forgiveness and pledge his undying fidelity. But now she’d never know how much he cared.

  The rope tightened as Sam looped it around the chrome bumper and began to tie it.

  “Hey, Sam.” Gabe’s voice shook. “You ain’t really doing this, right?”

  Sam looked up and sneered. “You a nigger lover like your brother?”

  “It’s the middle of the day! My pa or one of his deputies could catch us.”

  A blond-haired young man wearing a red and blue shirt stepped up, his brow furrowed. “Come on, Sam. Havin’ a little fun is one thing. But there’s no need to take it too far. And it ain’t about lovin’ this colored.” For emphasis, he doubled Andy with a fast gut punch. “You know Gabe’s pa runs a clean county.”

  “Then maybe it’s time for a new sheriff.” Sam’s lips curled again as he spoke the words like a challenge.

  “You sayin’ there’s something wrong with my pa?”

  “Yeah. He’s too soft on coloreds. That’s why your brother ain’t been run outta town by now.”

  “Now, look, Sam.” The blond-headed man spoke up, nerves trembling in his voice. Hope sprang inside of Andy. If they could only reason with the fellow, Sam, maybe Andy would make it through this without being killed. “Ain’t no call to be insultin’ Gabe just because his brother can’t stay away from the colored gals. It’s a sickness in some men.”

  “Yeah,” Gabe said. “You think I like it that my own flesh and blood is taken in by some black witch’s voodoo? Besides, Sam, you should know that after your own--”

  “You want me to put a bullet through your skull?” The fury in Sam’s face seemed to take the others
by surprise.

  In the distance, Andy heard the sound of a motor. A cloud of dust swirled up from the road. A truck slammed to a halt and the driver got out in what seemed like one motion. He whipped a shotgun from behind the seat and slammed the door shut. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Well, looky there.” Sam’s lips curled into a sneer. “Just the fella we were discussing. Maybe we ought to drag him after the nigger and rid the town of two filthy vermin.”

  Andy blinked in surprise at the sight of the man he’d met in Georgie’s club. How ironic that the person who had beaten him senseless was now coming to his defense.

  “Watch it, Sam,” Gabe said. “I know that’s the liquor talking, but I’m gonna knock the tar out of you if you don’t quit insultin’ my family.” He shot a glance to the road. “Get outta here and mind your own business, Rafe.”

  “Not until you turn him loose. I can’t stand by and watch you murder a man in cold blood.”

  “We’re just having a little fun, that’s all. We’re just scarin’ him.”

  “That ain’t what it looks like, what with the rope and all.” Rafe kept coming. “Let him go. Now.”

  “What are you gonna do, raise your shotgun against your own flesh and blood?”

  “If I have to. I’d rather see you shot in the leg or the arm than be hung for killing this man without cause.”

  Sam stepped in front of Gabe. “Then shoot me.”

  “This ain’t like you, Sam. What’s botherin’ you?” Rafe’s enormous body towered over Sam’s slight form. Andy knew he could take him easily. Instead, he placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder and looked down with compassion.

  Sam shook off his hand. He turned a venomous gaze on Andy. “This ain’t over.” He lifted his eyes to Rafe. “You have until I get back behind the wheel to save him.” He headed for the driver’s door of the car.

  Andy’s knees weakened.

  Rafe pulled a knife from his pocket and sawed through the ropes binding his wrists. Just as the engine fired up, sending black fumes into the air, the rope released. Sam spun rocks and dirt as he gunned the motor and sped down the road.

  “Thanks,” Andy said, rubbing his raw skin. “The would-be assassin becomes the hero.”

  Rafe jammed a meaty finger into Andy’s chest. “Listen to me. You’d best stay off this road from here on out.”

  Andy shook his head. “Can’t. I have a story to finish researching before I can go home.” He gave a wry grin. “But I’ll travel by night and follow the river so the patrollers and bloodhounds won’t find me.”

  Rafe scowled. “Spare me the runaway slave references. Get in the truck. I’ll drive you back to Buck’s place.

  Andy’s brow rose. “You mean ride in back?”

  “Don’t be stupid. You think I make my Ruthie ride in back? We’re both targets as it is, so no one will be surprised to see us together.”

  “Suit yourself.” Andy climbed into the truck, refusing to acknowledge that his gut was clenched with nervous tension.

  When they arrived at Buck’s rooming house, Rafe pulled along the edge of the street.

  Andy reached for the door handle, then turned back. “Look. Under the circumstances--”

  “You don’t need to apologize for your opinion about me and Ruthie. We don’t care what you think.”

  “I wasn’t.” Andy stared with frank perusal at the giant of a man. “Personally I think relationships between races are a mistake. There are too many repercussions. But that doesn’t excuse the way I spoke to you or Ruthie.”

  Rafe nodded. “Well, we already settled that, didn’t we? And don’t expect me to apologize for thrashing you. You’re just lucky they pulled me off you when they did.”

  Andy’s lips tilted. “Yeah, I suppose so. Anyway, I’m obliged for the intervention today and for the ride.”

  “You take care. And next time you need to go out to Miss Penbrook’s, have Buck send word and I’ll drive you out there. No sense tempting Gabe and his boys.”

  “Why do you care?”

  “I care about my brother. I don’t want to see him messed up in something he can’t get out of. My family has enough trouble to deal with.”

  “If you’re so worried about your family, why don’t you give up Ruthie?”

  Rafe gave him a sad smile. “Might as well ask me to rip out my heart. Believe me, I’ve tried. I can’t. She can’t. We need each other.”

  “Then why not leave town? Go north to Canada?”

  He gave a shrug. “I don’t know. We might if things get worse.”

  *****

  The house was quiet when Andy entered. He headed straight to his room and slipped off his shoes. Prayer seemed the only appropriate course of action as he stretched out on the bed and closed his eyes. “I don’t know why You’d spare my life after I walked out on You so many years ago,” he spoke into the darkness. “But thank You.”

  He touched the spot on his wrists where the rope had rubbed him raw. Tears formed quickly, and before he could wipe one away, another made a trek down his cheek. Today, he’d almost been killed. For what? The look of utter hatred in Sam’s eyes haunted him. Curling into a ball, he sobbed until no tears remained.

  1912

  Twelve-year-old Andy sat on the step and watched Jonas Riley playing baseball in the street with his friends. White friends. Usually Andy didn’t care about being excluded. He’d rather be reading a book or writing a short story anyway. But today, Aunt Lois had sent him outside with the other boys, insisting he was going to be sickly if he didn’t get some fresh air once in a while.

  “Andy, come be our fourth man,” Jonas called. “We need another player.”

  “Hey, he ain’t playing.” Karl Starnes held the ball tightly in his hand and stood his ground.

  Jonas stepped forward and faced him nose to nose. “Who says?”

  “I do.”

  Standing to his full height, Jonas looked down on Karl. “Well, I say he’s playing. And I’m a lot bigger than you.”

  Jonas was a true friend. Andy’s best friend. Mrs. Riley always said they could have been brothers. Like two peas in a pod. Jonas and Andy laughed when she said that. Andy’s happiest times were when he stayed inside the Riley home and read, or played cowboys and Indians with Jonas.

  The times he hated were when Jonas got into fights because of him. Like he was about to now. Anger popped out Jonas’s freckles and Andy almost felt sorry for Karl. He was about to get some thrashing.

  Karl obviously saw the same thing. With a scowl, he backed down. “All right. He can play. But I don’t want him on my team.”

  “You couldn’t have him if you did want him. He’s too good for your team.”

  It was a lie that all too soon became obvious. But even losing the game for Jonas couldn’t diminish Andy’s sense of pride. Jonas was a good buddy. Easily the most popular boy in school and well liked. And he was Andy’s champion.

  Wrapped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, it was only in the dark of night that Andy longed for home.

  Andy’s eyes opened at the sound of a knock on his door. He called a welcome.

  Ella stepped inside. “There’s a phone call for you.”

  Frowning, Andy sat up. “Miss Penbrook?”

  She shook her head. “It’s a woman who says she’s your wife.”

  Andy shot from his bed and sprinted past Ella. In the hallway downstairs he snatched up the phone. “Lexie?”

  “Hi, Andy.” Something was different. That hard-edged tone he’d become accustomed to over the past year was noticeably absent.

  His pulse picked up. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes. I--I just have to tell you something.”

  Dread formed a knot in his gut. “Go ahead.”

  “Not on the phone.”

  He gave a short laugh. “Then why’d you call?”

  “Don’t be nasty.” Hurt deepened her voice.

  “I’m sorry, Honey. But I don’t understand
why you called only to tell me you can’t tell me something over the phone.”

  “Well, if you’ll listen, I’ll explain.”

  Andy released a sigh. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m taking a bus down there tomorrow.”

  The thought of seeing Lexie sent a shock of joy spreading through his chest.

  “I wanted to surprise you, but Mama is worried I might run into trouble.”

  Like a jolt, Andy recalled the haunting hatred in Sam’s eyes. The rope. The blows. “Your mama’s right. I don’t think it’s a good idea, Lexie.”

  “What do you mean? You don’t want to see me?”

  “It’s not that.” He didn’t want to explain. Admit that he’d become some sort of target. And that Lexie might become one, too.

  “Andy, I do have to speak with you. But I can’t do it over the phone.”

  He could well imagine. Most likely she wanted a divorce. Better to wait until he was back in Chicago to let her rip his heart to shreds. At least he could make an effort to win her back on safe ground. “I’m sorry, Lex. You’ll just have to wait until I get home.”

  “But why? I won’t be in any danger with you there.”

  Torn between the pride that she believed in him and the knowledge that he couldn’t allow himself to weaken, Andy spoke more bluntly than he desired. “Listen, I don’t want you here distracting me from my work. All right? I’ll be home as soon as I can and then we can talk about whatever you want. It won’t be much longer.”

  “That’s what you said when you left. You’ve already been gone a lot longer than you thought.”

  “I know. Things happened.”

  “I can just imagine what things.” The hard-edged tone was back.

  “I doubt you can. If you come down here you could be in danger, like your mama said.”

  “Sure, Andy. How convenient. You just make sure you come by and see me when you get home. I won’t bother you anymore.”

  “Lexie. . .”

  But it was too late. The phone clicked.

  With a frustrated growl, Andy slammed down the receiver.

  “Troubles at home?” Ella’s husky voice pierced the silence.