Page 107 of Meet Me on Greenwood

C.J. had insisted on rallying some men to escort us home even though I’d told him we’d be fine. I had plenty of guns, but he didn’t listen. In the end, eight men went with us, half of them veterans from the World War.

"No one will be messing with you tonight," one of them said. "We got you. You and your misses. Get a good night sleep."

It was strange hearing Gema referred to as mine. I loved it. She had been spooked by what happened, and I couldn’t blame her. Perhaps she was right in wanting us to leave. Perhaps I should consider it.

Perry brought an oxygen tank to my home, as well as a monitor to keep track of my vitals before I went to sleep for the evening. Lettie and Paul embraced me as soon as we returned. I must have looked terrible because Lettie had to pull Paul away and calm him down.

"I should help," Gema said, squeezing my hand after I was set into bed. Our bed. C.J. stepped from the corner of the room with something in his hand.

"What is that?" I asked.

"Keys to the city," he said with a grin, handing me a metal key.

"Where does this go?" I asked.

"To your new office, adjacent to Frissel hospital."

I handed it back. "I’m not in a position to take out a loan. I doubt I’ll be able to get an insurance claim paid on the one that was just torched."

C.J. pressed the keys firmly in my hand. "This is not a loan. It is yours. Camille took up a collection, and some of the other businessmen contributed as well, even Dr. Brown here."

I looked up in surprise.

"I contributed the most, of course," Perry said with a wink before continuing to set up the oxygen.

"I don’t understand. Why would you buy an office for me?"

"Look at what you’ve done for us," he said, gesturing to the tunnels that lay underneath the property. "We take care of our own."

"But I’m not—" I stopped myself, realizing I was once again going to deny who I really was. I swallowed. "I’ve been dishonest with you all. I am—"

"Black," C.J. finished for me.

My jaw dropped as the breath left my body. "How did you know?"

"We can always spot our own," Perry called over his shoulder. "And everyone knows red heads are really Black, anyway."

"How long have you known?"

C.J. shrugged. "Camille pointed it out right away. I needed more convincing, but when you approached us about your smuggling operation, I knew. I was just waiting until you were ready to say something."

I nodded. "Well—thank you," I said closing my fist over the key. "I will find a way to repay you."

"Repay us by moving in. It is much safer among our own people. Camille will be worried sick if Gema stays here."

I nodded. "I’ll give it serious consideration."

"You do that," he said, standing. "I’m going to check on your security."

Perry and I sat in comfortable silence while my head raced with all the possibilities that came with this second chance.

"How well do you know Gema?"

I startled at the question.

"Is there a reason you are asking?"

Dr. Brown met my gaze before fishing something out of his pocket. It was a velvet black box. My eyes widened, opening it to find the ring I’d bought for Gema weeks ago. It was still there.