I wave, then yell again,“Wait.”By the time I catch up with her I’m out of breath. Reaching out to touch her arm, I say, “Are you okay?”
She presses her lips together, shuts her eyes. “I’m okay, baby. Just need some time to think things through.”
“What things?” We’ve shared our most intimate struggles with each other. Surely I have the right to ask her this question.
After inhaling a deep breath, she opens her eyes. “Cali. I just quit my job.”
No,no. She can’t do that. We’re… Eli Manning is coming to Oxford to help us change things. I want to tell her all about it, but it’s not the right time. Everyone in our pledge class had decided we would tell the whole staff together. In a special way. Right before Monday Night Chapter. “Why did you quit? What happened?”
She’s not crying. In fact, she’s pretty calm. “Do you remember on Bid Day when I told you to keep your distance from Lilith Whitmore?”
I snicker. “Of course I remember. And a lot has happened you don’t know about. Has she done something to you?” Tons of girls are walking back from class, several have their heads down in their phones, but some are looking at us curiously.
“Let’s go sit,” she says, pointing down the road. “In the Grove. I haven’t taken a seat in the Grove in years.” It’s beautiful outside, crisp with a solid blue sky, but once we pass under the trees I feel a sudden drop in temperature. I stop to zip my jacket and Miss Pearl takes a moment to look up at the trees. Autumn is in its full chromatic glory. When she sees that I’m zipped up she motions for us to sit on a short wall with the James Meredith statue behind us.
What Miss Pearl tells me is shocking. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, though. Especially when I think about the way Mrs. Whitmore treated me. But hearing about the way she just talked to Miss Pearl is outrageous. Who would say all those mean things to Miss Pearl? She’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever known.
“She can’t do that,” I say. “It’s discrimination. You should sue.” I point my finger down the street.
“Cali.” She brings my hand down, rests it on top of my thigh. “Listen to me. I am not suing anybody. If I’m not wanted somewhere that’s reason enough for me to leave.”
“But you are wanted. You shouldn’t have to quit your job because she’s a racist.”
“It’s more than that, baby. I do not want to work for that woman. I would hate my job. Dread coming into work every day. Right now, I might not make much, but at least I enjoy my work. With Mama Carla leaving, things will change. My time has come to an end.”
“This is wrong. You would have made the best housemother.” I’m conflicted about whether or not to tell her about our plan for staff benefits. “I don’t know why I thought sorority life would be so important. I was dead wrong. I wish I had never rushed.”
“Don’t say that, Cali. You are right where you belong. You understand the important things in life. You need to be an Alpha Delt—to set an example.”
“I was gonna say that about you.” I sigh, imagining the thought of losing Miss Pearl before we have the chance to develop a deeper relationship. “What will you do for work?”
“I’m headed to the employment office now to apply for a job with the University.”
“Aren’t you already an Ole Miss employee?”
“No, baby. We all work directly for Alpha Delt. Once I get on with the University I’ll get health insurance and retirement. Aunt Fee had been bugging me to do it before she died. So that’s what I’m doing.”
“But… we’re working on something that might change all that.” I just say it.
“Nothing’s going to change at Alpha Delt. I’ve been there a long time. I know what I’m talking about.”
“We’re making staff benefits our pledge-class philanthropy project. We had it all planned to tell the staff on Monday night before Chapter.” Then I tell her the whole story. About Eli Manning, Ellie’s dad, Mrs. Whitmore. I tell her everything.
“You and Ellie did all that?”
I nod.
Tears well up in her eyes. “For all of us? Oh Lord. I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say you’ll stay.” I reach over and hug her tightly.
“Cali. I wish I could. But I’m sure you can understand. This is about my dignity. My time with Alpha Delt has come to an end. I can’t work for someone who disrespects me. I’ll be fine. You go ahead on with your plan. Thereare still six people on our staff who need to be treated fairly. They need benefits every bit as much as I do.”
“I do understand. I’m just really sad right now. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t lose me. We can get together… anytime you want.”
All I can muster is a weak smile.
