Page 65 of Meet Me on Greenwood

I wondered what Bri was doing, and how Maise was. The one thing I hadn't thought about was my business. It was a relief not to have to worry about it. I was here, and technically, it didn't exist yet. I felt like I could breathe for the first time in ages.

"I was thinking, Mother—" Rita began.

"As we have raised you to, dear. Go on."

"Gema has never been to the Williams Theater and that new Cleopatra film is playing. It would be fun if we good go tomorrow."

"I don’t know. Women after dark feels like Satan knocking."

"What if Sandy goes with us? She’d make sure we kept out of trouble."

"Who is Pearl?" I asked.

"My sister," Camille said between clenched teeth. She wore the same expression I did when my sister was brought up.

"Come on, Mother. We’re really sorry about the carnival. We’ve learned from it, but we can’t keep ourselves locked away forever."

Camille was quiet for a long moment. Long enough that Rita and I exchanged a glance.

"Sandy picks you up and brings you straight home. No alcohol ladies. That is the devil’s water."

Rita sat up. "Yes ma'am."

"You sit together. You do not separate," she continued.

"Of course," Rita replied.

"And you are home by eleven."

"The film runs a little—"

"Eleven." Camille said, meeting Rita’s eyes. "Or Pearl doesn't take you."

"Yes ma'am," Rita said, nudging my arm.

"Yes ma'am," I echoed.

Camille turned into the church parking lot and brought the car to a stop. She sat for a moment with both hands still on the wheel.

"I mean it Rita. Straight home."

"I know, Mother."

Camille turned, giving me a lengthy look as if to remind me of the promise I’d made about avoiding Houston. The promise I’d already broken.

25

Gema

New Picture Show for East End

I’d already put on my high-necked burgundy dress, when Rita walked in carrying a thick coat and a fur. She threw them to me, and I nearly dropped it. "Is this real?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Of course. It’s mink. Be careful with it," she said, adjusting her hat in the mirror, and applying a final layer of lipstick.

"Surely it won’t be so cold to wear all that."

She smiled. "You never know when you will catch a draft."