Page 33 of Meet Me on Greenwood

"Thank you. I don’t haven any money to reimburse you, but—"

He held up his hand. "No repayment necessary. Don’t mention it."

Relying on anyone felt uncomfortable, let alone a stranger. My own father would expect payment for a favor. I’d have to find a way to repay him somehow.

"You aren’t hungry?" I asked changing the subject by noting his untouched plate.

He took a piece of bacon. "I will eat. Wouldn’t want to anger Lettie."

I’m not sure what I was expecting when C.J. arrived, maybe a man dressed in a simple button-up with suspenders and glasses. That was not C.J. Alderman. He looked like he stepped out of a jazz club in his oversized jacket and hat. His skin was a deep, warm brown, a shade darker than my own, and it made the crisp white of his shirt collar look even brighter by contrast. I was no suit connoisseur but I could tell his was expensive, maybe even imported. He wore an exorbitant watch, gold and heavy on his wrist, and black diamond cuff links fashioned in a star.

"I’m Charles Johnathon, but call me C.J.," he said, holding out his hand. "You must be Gemini."

"Gema," I said, returning his handshake.

"Soft hands," he said, turning them around. "You aren’t a kitchen maid, that’s for sure. Maybe a teacher?"

"Let her breathe before you start questioning her," Lettie chastised.

His face immediately lit up at the sound of her voice. "It’s good to see you Lettie," he said, giving her a warm embrace. "You should come to town more often."

"Not a chance," she said. "I’m not interested in what y’all got down there." She paused. "Is that little Rita?"

I turned around, realizing I hadn’t seen the young woman C.J. arrived with.

"Not so little anymore," C.J. said proudly. The woman stepped out of the car in a buttery yellow sundress and a white hat. "Gema, meet my daughter, Rita. I thought you two might get on."

"It is nice to meet you," she said with a polite smile.

"Same here," I said.

Lettie scoffed. "No need to be so formal, C.J. Dr. Whitaker is busy with the remodeling crew. It is just us, come on and have some sweet tea."

Lettie set us in the main parlor. "Are you sure this is okay?" Rita asked. "I have never been in a white man’s parlor before, although this one could use a bit of care," she said wiping dust between her white-gloved hands as she touched the stair bannister.

"Dr. Whitaker is focused on some of the outer structures. He hasn’t made it in here," Lettie said.

"What does his fiancé think of that?" C.J. asked. "Sarah Page, is it?"

Lettie set down four mason jars filled with sweet tea and a jar of lemons and sugar for those who liked it sweeter. "She doesn’t come around here much. Though if he doesn’t visit her as often as she likes, she’ll make an appearance."

C.J. put several heaps of sugar in his own drink. "Well Gema, how are you liking it here? Is he treating you alright?"

All eyes turned to me. "Dr. Whitaker has been very kind to allow me to stay here until I’ve recovered."

C.J. moved his spectacles. "And have you, recovered?"

I touched my arm feeling the slight bruise there. "Mostly. I feel much better now. Actually, I was hoping to visit Greenwood today."

"Oh, that would be splendid," Rita said excitedly. "There’s so much to do, and they opened that new movie theater. You’ll have to come with me sometime."

I smiled politely. "I’d like that. Actually, I thought I might find work in town."

Rita crinkled her nose as if I had laid something rotten in front of her. "Work? Why would you want to work when you have someone willing to take care of you?"

"I’ve never allowed anyone to take care of me," I said.

Rita’s eyes widened, which told me she was in a class where women were not required nor expected to work.