“Didn’t you hear? There’s a welcome-back social at the Magnolia Clubhouse. Lemonade and cookies, and I think they are even having music. Get changed so we can go.” Willa picked up her blush brush.
Sophia had managed to snag a baby-doll dress when Walter took her by the local church for the annual rummage sale. She slipped that on and, after Willa insisted, applied a little rouge to her cheeks.
When Sophia and Willa walked through the double doors of the Magnolia Clubhouse on campus, kids stood in groups around the punch bowl, and a few swayed in place to the music. Claude and Louis were sitting at a table next to the assortment of refreshments with a deck of playing cards.
“Hey, boys,” Willa sang, sliding into one of the empty seats. “Where’s Max?”
“I haven’t seen him,” Louis said. “Want us to deal you in?”
“Whatcha playing?” Sophia plopped down.
“Gin rummy.”
“Do you know how to play, Sophia?” Willa turned to her.
“Yes.” Despite never having a full deck, she had played the game with her brothers on rainy days back on the farm.
Louis dealt the cards. “Did you hear about Sammy Younge Jr.?”
“Who’s that?” Claude sipped his lemonade.
“A Negro student at Tuskegee Institute. Murdered for using a whites-only restroom at a gas station in Macon, Georgia.”
“That’s terrible,” said Claude, and Sophia could see him visiblyshudder. She remembered how the taunts from the white students had upset him at the Old South Ball.
“The man had served in the U.S. Navy. Even lost a kidney while serving, and this is how our country repays his service.” Louis moved cards around in his hand.
“Goodness gracious, Louis. Can we please talk about something more pleasant?” Willa fanned herself.
“Like what?”
“Like what you got for Christmas?” she said, wide-eyed.
“Coal.” He slapped the table and laughed.
“Very funny,” Willa chided, just as Sophia spotted Max waving hello to a few teens as he glided toward their table.
Max wore a lime-green cardigan, slacks, and penny loafers, and his skin and hair glistened like a new copper coin. The sight of him made her fidget with the hem of her dress.
“Hey, what’s shaking?” He slid into the only open seat at the round table, which happened to be right next to Sophia.
“Max.” Willa beamed. “How was your break?”
“I spent most of my time being lazy in front of the tube. What are you playing?”
“Gin rummy,” Claude piped up.
“Deal me in.”
“You’re lucky I didn’t have a good hand.” Louis picked up all the cards from the table and shuffled.
While Willa talked about her time in New York City with her family, and how pretty the Christmas tree looked in Rockefeller Center, Sophia found her knee against Max’s. A sensation pulsed up her thigh as she waited for him to stretch away, but instead he sneaked a glance at her and smiled.
When the social was over, the five of them walked down the path toward the quad.
“I need to stop at the library for a book,” Willa said. “Max, you want to walk with me?”
“I would, but I need to get changed and go shoot around before dinner. I’ve been sitting on my behind for two weeks, and I want to be my best for practice tomorrow.”
