“Take another,” Waldeen pressed.
I waved her away as the liquor threatened to come back up.
***
We pulled up to the rock wall in front of the administration building, the crowing of cocks greeting the dawn, awakening the quiet dew-covered fields.
Inside the men’s prison, Officer Chandler stopped us at the nurse’s door. After she took my temperature, I was released back into his custody.
Again, I studied every face, searching for Jackson.
When my guard, Sam, paused in the gym to watch the men boxing, Officer Chandler said, “Why don’t you stay. Enjoy yourself a break. I’ll send a breakfast tray down and have the guard bring you up to the library whenever you’re ready. Shoot yourself a game of pool in the officers’ lounge, if you like. I can take care of Book Woman.” He slapped his back.
Sam jumped at the chance, more than happy to escape his boring duty.
After brief introductions to the groups, we settled into the lessons. The men drifted around tables and lingered over at the bookshelves. I helped several write letters back home, but still no Jackson.
An inmate came over carrying a newspaper. “Miss Book Lady…” He thrust it into my hands. “Wonder if you can read me this. Does that saypole-lee-o? Overheard Officer Chandler saying the article was about it. I, er, seemed to have lost myglasses again,” he said, his hands flying over flat shirt pockets, patting as if searching for missing spectacles.
I’d heard the excuse by more than a few on my Pack Horse librarian route over the years.The prided.Those who were too embarrassed to admit they’d never learned their letters, the ones too proud to ask for the help. I know’d too well the unshakable dignity stiffening the bones of my people.
“My pleasure, sir. Have a seat.”
He settled into the chair, and I snapped the paper and read out loud the headline:
SALK’S CLINICAL TRIALS ON POLIO VACCINES PROMISING!
Jonas Salk, scientist and doctor, announced his clinical trials’ success after he used vaccinations on monkeys, numerous children crippled by polio, volunteers at mental institutions, and prisoners who received the vaccines. Salk went on CBS Radio to report his studies and…
When I finished, the man said, “That’s good news I’ve been a’waitin’ on. I’d volunteeranyday for his trials. Lost my little girl Nettie Jane to polio. Bud, my eldest, was left crippled by it. Me and my woman are anxious for a vaccine for us and our other four children. Could you write my missus and let her know about Salk’s latest studies? She don’t have money to spend on a newspaper or the stationery.”
“Yes, sir. Let me get some notepaper and an envelope, and we’ll send this hopeful news to your wife right away.”
Smiling, I watched him walk away, then drew my eyes to the door.Jackson, I’m here. Here,I begged silently for his arrival.
***
Daniel arrived at three, and I was relieved to see him. “Ma’am.” He leaned over my shoulder and whispered, “Did you post my letter?”
“I mailed it the next morning,” I said, pausing to shelve a book. I’d made sure that Waldeen had sent it out with her weekly grocery invoices.
Daniel had new bruises and a cut across his mouth. His arm still sported the cast.
My heart ached for the young boy—the tortures he must be suffering while guards turned a blind eye.
He handed back the poetry book from our last visit. “Thank you, ma’am,” he said quietly and walked over to the guard before I could inquire about him further.
“Officer Chandler, has the mail come in yet?”
The guard looked at his watch. “They’ll be making the rounds soon enough.” He dismissed Daniel.
Another prisoner wandered into the library, and Daniel turned and accidently bumped into him. The inmate jabbed Daniel sharply with his elbow. The young man bowed over and pressed an arm to his side, the pain spreading across his face.
Furious, I stepped up to the unruly prisoner and snapped, “Rude behavior is not allowed in the library. I’ll have to ask you to leave, sir.”
“And just who the hell do you think you are, blue fly?” The small muscled inmate bristled and took a step toward me, flexing his hand.
“Librarian Cussy Lovett. Leave, sir.” I stared into his hardening eyes. “Now.” The command tightened in my throat and squeezed out. “Leave.” Immediately, Chandler appeared beside us.
