Page 49 of Meet Me on Greenwood

"Have things calmed down? I heard the city council wasn’t too keen on your plan to make it an integrated establishment."

He paused. "It continues to be a work in progress to reassure the politicians that we strive to be a facility that welcomes all and follows the law. That is why C.J. has been a real asset to me. I just wish he would print about the hotel more."

Camille brushed away his concern. "That man doesn’t listen to me half the time. Good luck convincing him."

"We will get our first opportunity of an integrated event at the carnival. It is on the old Orcutt land."

"Swan Lake?" Camille asked. I could tell this was the first she was hearing of it and she seemed concerned.

"That’s the one." Mr. Stradford tilted his head in my direction. "This is not Rita."

"This is Gema. She is staying with us for a time."

He tipped his hat. "The woman who lost her memory. You are famous. It is very nice to meet you, Gema. I hope you are enjoying our promised land."

"It already feels like home," I said. "Everyone is so kind."

"I’m glad to hear. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything." He looked at Camille. "Any friend of C.J. and Camille’s is a friend of mine."

Camille kept her face measured. When she didn’t respond, he said, "Well, if you all will excuse me, I haven’t seen my bed in a couple of days. Have nice evening."

"See you Sunday," she called. He didn’t look back.

Camille rounded on her father. "We are not going to that carnival. It sounds like a perfect opportunity for the Klan."

The Reverend removed his glasses from his pocket and put them on his face. "That is why we will be there in numbers, with guns if we must. But I think it will be just fine," he assured.

"I hope you didn’t give him a cent more money,"

"He was only asking for a small loan."

"He has money. Why does he keep taking from the church? We could build an outdoor playground and a school if you didn’t keep giving the community’s charitable funds to a dreamer."

The Reverend smiled as if he’d heard all this before. "Dreaming is all we have, darling daughter. Without it, what is the point?"

"Faith. That is what you taught me."

"And I have faith that the money we loan Stradford will come back to us in spades."

I knew it was unlikely, given the fate of the hotel and pretty much every business in Greenwood. It made me sad to think that all of this would be lost.

"Are you going to introduce me?" The Reverend changed the subject.

"Gema, this is my father, Reverend Elias Thomas."

He came from behind the desk to shake my hand. "Come sit. I want to hear all about your harrowing tale."

I sat on the leather couch. "There is not much to tell. I woke up in the street and was nearly run over."

"Truly?" He asked. "You remember nothing."

I bit my lip, unsure of what to reveal. "I believe I lived up north, perhaps the Baltimore area. I remember going to medical school there."

Reverend Thomas and Camille were silent, looking at one another.

The Reverend clapped his hands. "A female doctor. How extraordinary. We must get you a post with Perry at the hospital. Surely, you’ve met him."

"Yes, I’ve met Dr. Brown, but I was not in the best state. I should like to meet him again."