Page 114 of Meet Me on Greenwood

"Gema. We were talking about Gema."

His eyebrows rose. "She should stay here where it is safe. Those devils will get her again."

"Devils?" I asked. "Should I draw you a bath Paul, will that help?"

He shook his head and gripped my hands intensely. "I couldn’t save her then, but this time, I promise, I’ll save her."

"I don’t understand—"

"I have to protect her," he said, though his eyes were growing distant. "This time I will."

Lettie put a hand on my shoulder. "Maybe you should go."

I nodded, feeling guilty. I decided I’d get in a dance or two with Gema and then coax her back home so Lettie didn’t have to care for Paul too long by herself.

Lettie walked me to the door and handed me my long jacket. "It has been getting worse," she acknowledged. "Especially when Gema is gone for more than an hour or two."

I nodded. "She has a calming effect on him."

"You know, sometimes I wonder if she reminds him of someone."

"His wife," I said.

She paused. "I don’t think so. It would be someone that resembles Gema. He’s been bringing flowers to the cemetery."

"My family plot?"

She nodded. "Yesterday I caught him putting flowers on your mama’s grave."

It had been a while since I’d visited her myself. She’d been in the city plot for some time before I was able to buy this place and move her here with a few of our other ancestors who had died during plantation days.

"He seems to have an affinity for graveyards," she noted. "I wonder what has captivated him?"

I shrugged. "We may never know."

"Have fun," she said, "and try to stay out of trouble."

I winked at her before getting into my vehicle. As I drove down the winding road, I stopped briefly at my mama’s plot to see that there were fresh daisies propped against it. I touched the surface of the headstone. It had been one of my first purchases when I’d started bootlegging.

"I found a woman I love, Mama, just like you said I would."

The swoosh of the night air was my only response.

"She accepts me for who I am, and I want to propose to her tonight. I want to start a life with her, whatever that looks like." I squeezed the headstone, holding back tears. "I just wish you could see me now. I hope I’ve made you proud. I love you, Mama."

As I got back to the car, I reflected on the memories I had of Miriam Mae while I was growing up. They were precious, and I had no doubt my mama loved me unconditionally, even if her own love life hadn’t worked out. Even though we were poor, she’d created her own little oasis for the two of us. Gema and I could do the same. That is all I wanted. She was right,—it was better to stay out in the country—but truthfully, if she changed her mind again, I’d follow her anywhere. Perhaps we should go north, where our pairing wouldn’t look so strange. I’d miss the land, but I’d be with Gema. That was all that I needed.

I was so caught in my thoughts I nearly missed the group of men gathering in the road. I slammed on the brakes, and the car screeched across the gravel. I felt for my pistol resting in the harness under the steering wheel.

As the men walked towards me, I realized these were the sheriff’s deputies. Even so, I kept my hand on the gun.

"Clear out, boys. He’s one of us." Sheriff Barnaby Sterling approached with a brilliant gold star on his chest. He’d been friendly to me over the years, as I was able to discreetly provide penicillin so his wife wouldn’t know that he was stepping out on her. Still, the man made me nervous.

"Well, don’t you look spiffy? You going to that colored ball?" he asked.

I gave him a pleasant, non-threatening smile. "I am. I love Mamie Smith. Thought I’d check it out."

The sheriff spit a wad of tobacco on the ground and opened his can to get another pinch