by Bobby Dennis
Emma Jean hugged her, and said. “Call me Emma, or Mamma like everybody else.”
“Okay,” Lucy said with a small smile.
“Ran, you know the party for pappa is tomorrow night. I just know Lucy ain’t got nothing to wear. So, I’m gonna go to Mamie in the morning and get her a pretty dress. Plus some shoes and other stuff.”
“You need money?” Ransoms asked.
“I got plenty.” Emma said. “We gonna have to get one of the boys to escort her. I think Timmy should be the one, since he ain’t got no steady woman.”
“It’s done,” Ransom said. “I’ll tell Pa, and he’ll get it done.”
“I want you to do it.” Emma said firmly. “It’s time you took your rightful place, at the head of the family. Pappa and the elders, ain’t gonna live forever Ran!”
“Em, why you always pushin so? I know my place in the family and in this house. So, I suggest you remember yours!” said Ransom.
“I didn’t mean nothing bad baby.” said Emma apologetically. “You got the family movin in a different direction and you’ll have to lead.”
“We been doing pretty good doing things the old way. I don’t see no need to upset the apple cart.” said Ransom.
“That’s just it honey.” said Emma passionately. “These ain’t the old times. These are new times and gonna get newer, mark my words. You got to change with the times. And if all the stories I’ve heard are true, then they did it like their people before them. Different times call for different methods!”
“You might be right.” Ransom said. “I just don’t wanna be the one to seem pushy. Let the elders fade and in the mean time I’ll add small changes.”
“I guess that will be good for now, but I’m gonna talk to pa about it and see how he feels.” said Emma with a smile.
Ransom shook his head and smiled. “I got one hell of a woman there.” he said to himself.
They walked Lucy to a room and Emma said. “You can come and go as you please, but be sure you never go out alone. You were sent here for us to protect you and we take that serious chile!”
“What about my folks, who gonna keep them safe?” Lucy asked.
“I’ll do what I can to make sure they’re alright.” said Ransom.
They left her and went to their room.
“Ain’t but a little while til sunrise.” Ransom said. “I thought we might stay awake til then.”
Emma slapped him on the arm playfully, then whispered. “ We got company Ran.”
“I won’t scream too loud.” he said laughing.
“In that case, I guess I can go on and give you a little bit.” she said removing her robe.
He watched, as she shrugged the robe from her shoulders. He could see that her nipples were stiff. She looked good in the white, silk gown, he had imported from France. He watched as she pulled the gown over her head, and her magnificent breast came into view.
He looked downward and saw the matching silk drawers that hugged her mound. He could see the slit plainly out lined, and he felt his penis fill with blood. He watched as she hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her drawers and slowly shimmied out of them. By then, he was rock hard.
She walked backward and lay on the bed with her legs spread wide. He saw her puffy nether lips, were coated with dew. It looked so erotic, surrounded by silky black hair. He watched as her hands came down and spread the lips open so he could see the beautiful pink walls. A trickle of her juices leaked from her hole and his robe had a great tent at the groin. He slowly removed his robe, as he watched her fingers dance between her legs.
He gripped his staff and walked between her legs and positioned himself. She reached for him, held him and guided him in. She raised her hips, as he gently slid in her.
“Oh baby,” she moaned softly, as he stroked deep into her.
* CHAPTER # 14 *
“I’m telling you Bull, we need to stir shit up
around here.” said Oscar sternly.
“And just why should we do that Oscar?” asked Bull. “Because the niggers might get the wrong idea and
think we done got vulnerable. Ain’t no telling what kind of notions they’ll get then.” Oscar said. “You know he’s right Bull.” said Simon. “We know that girl was from around here. She knows the niggers that killed Tom!”
“The question is this, how do we find her?” Bull asked.
“We got to bust some nigger ass, that’s how!” said Oscar.
“So you’re suggesting we ride again soon?” Bull asked.
Bubba Stanley spoke up. “I think we need to put the pressure on, all around. What you do Bull, is you deputize all of us, that gives you more man power. All of the members of the Klavern are in the militia so it shouldn’t be a big problem. A white man lynched, is as good a reason as any.”
“Damn it, I think that’s the answer.” said Bull. “We’ll really put the pressure on. Stop cars and wagons. Beat a few niggers, kick down some doors. Yeah, that ought to do the trick!”
* * * * Emma and Lucy, walked into Mamie’s Dress Shop. “How are you Emma?” asked Cilla.
“I’m fine girl.” said Emma. “Is your Ma around?” “She’s in back.” Cilla replied.
Mamie Waters and her daughter both, were big dark
skin women. Their faces had a somewhat Egyptian look. Hooded eyes, high cheekbones, thin noses and full luscious lips. Mamie came from the back, saw Emma, and asked. “Girl what you need?”
“I need some dresses for my daughter here.” said Emma pointing at Lucy. “She new in town and I want her to always put her best foot forward. She gonna need everything, price is no object. I need her a beautiful dress for Raven’s engagement party tonight. By the way, did y’all get the invitation?”
“Yeah honey we got them.” Mamie said. “I ain’t got but one problem with the whole thing.”
“What’s that?” asked Emma.
“That I ain’t the one he engaged to!” said Mamie laughing. All of the women laughed with her.
“Mama ain’t you a little old for that?” asked Cilla playfully.
“Might be some snow on the roof, but there’s still fire in the fire place.” Mamie said sassily. “Raven is a fine figure of a man. I been knowing him more than 30 years, your Ransom looks like he did years ago. And that Timmy, looks like him the first time I saw him. We done had a little thing, but he was loyal to his wife. A real man. I suspect Ran and Timmy are the same way.
Emma shook her head. As long as she had been a part of this family, still there were things she didn’t know. “Let’s get busy.” Emma said to Mamie.
They walked thru the shop looking at dresses. Emma picked several and several pairs of shoes. She brought Lucy everything she thought she’d need. She had watched the young girl’s eyes beaming with pleasure, as she touched and tried on the dresses. Emma watched her eyes keep going back to a canary yellow dress, that hung in a corner by itself.
“That yellow dress, is it sold?” asked Emma.
“No, I just threw that together. It’s suppose to be the latest fashion, but girl it’s a little too daring for these parts.”
“I want to see her in it.” Emma said.
They walked to the dress and Mamie got it and passed it to Lucy who clasped it tightly to her chest. She went into the small changing room and put the dress on, then stepped out.
“Good Lord,” said Mamie. “That dress was made for this chile!”
Emma eyed the dress critically. She walked around Lucy and saw how the yellow dress hugged the young woman’s voluptuous body.
“Look at her breast, the way that dress got them spilling out at the top. Could you put a sheer lace over that?” asked Emma
“Hmmm…. I could do it, but I think it would affect the drape of the dress.” said Mamie.
“Tack it on and let’s see what we got.” Emma said.
Mamie walked and got a piece of sheer lace and some pins. She tacked the lace over the twin swells of Lucy’s breast and stood back. You could stil
l see the swollen mounds of her breast, but it was like looking through fog.
“That’s it,” Emma said. “I want you to do that one right away. Them white shoes we just picked, is what the doctor ordered. As Lucy went to take off the dress, Emma saw a pearl cameo brooch.
“I want that, but attach it to a white silk ribbon. She can wear it as a choker.” Emma said.
Lucy and Emma hung out in the dress shop until the dress was finished. They got their packages and left.
* * * * “Tim, you remember the girl from the other night?” asked Ransom.
“What other night, Ran?” asked Tim.
“The one we saved from the Klan?” Ransom said.
“Yeah I remember her.” Tim said. “What about her?”
“Well, I want you to escort her to my pa’s party tonight.” Ransom said. “Treat her with respect Tim, she’s in my care!”
“I’d do it even if she wasn’t cousin.” Tim said. “How’d she find you?”
“She didn’t, her pa sent her. He felt she was in danger so he wanted her out of town until things blow over.” Ransom said. “Tyrus brought her last night and she’s gonna be staying with us til then.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but them crackers ain’t gonna forget one of theirs got hung.” Tim said.
“Well it’s done now and we can’t undo it. Shit, if I had to, I’d do it again.” Ransom said forcefully.
“Me too cousin. I would make it last a little longer though.” said Tim laughing.
“How are things going getting the stolen cars like we wanted?” asked Ransom.
“Well we got two and we stole them from Baldwin. The boys went to white house so they might have something.” Tim answered. “When we gonna start with that?”
“I’d say Monday, but we’ll check with the elders first.
* CHAPTER # 15 *
Emma and Lucy stopped by Raven’s House on the way home and Celia opened the door. “Hey Em how are you? And who is this pretty thing?” she asked Emma as she pulled Lucy into her arms.
“This is Lucy Shores and she’s living with us for a while.” said Emma. “I need to see pappa.”
“Pappa…!” Celia screamed.
“Damn it woman. I done told you about screaming and hollering in this house.” Raven said as he stepped into the room. “Oh, we got guest?”
“Pappa we need to talk.” Emma said seriously.
Raven looked at Emma and knew it was an important matter. “What is it?”
He knew Emma loved him and she was one of the few family members who would be straight with him. She was a smart woman and Raven couldn’t understand where Cellus and Brooks got their habits from.
“Let’s go in the sitting room.” Celia said. “Ain’t no need to stand in the door!”
They walked back to the sitting room. After they were all seated, Celia said. “I’m gonna get us girls some tea and pappa some coffee. Don’t say a word till I get back, Em.”
“Go on and get the refreshments, old nosy heifer.” said Raven smiling as Celia hurried from the room.
“You know I’m glad you feel like you can talk to me, cause Tracy and Cissy don’t. It’s like, I’m from another planet to them.” said Raven with a smile.
“What do you expect pappa? You got a woman their age.” said Emma. “It’s hard for them because they loved their Momma. They see Celia as someone replacing her!”
“It ain’t bout them though, it’s about me. And Celia has made me happy as I’ve been in the last few years. I wish Dove could be here, but she ain’t. So much has changed, things can’t stay the same as much as we’d like them to. I can’t say things are getting better, but we all must adjust to the times or we will fall by the way side!” Raven said.
Celia walked back into the room, and said. “Heifer I told you to wait until I got back.”
“Aw hush woman.” Raven said smiling. “So what is it Em?”
“You touched on it pappa, with what you just said. Times are forever changing and either we change by choice or by force. I think it’s time you let Ransom lead the family. We’re going in a different direction and Ran is better qualified to lead than any of the others, except for maybe Trace.” Emma said. “It’s time pappa and you know it.”
Raven looked at her and laughed, then said. “I’m not laughing at you so don’t think that. I can see your point, but it’s not like that in the family. There isn’t a leader, per say. They come to me, because they always have. True, in a sense I’m the leader, but it’s not quite so cut and clear. If Ran is to be the head of the family he will prove it by action. I’ll know when the time is because the young ones will go to him instead of me. If he asserts himself he will eventually be the head. Had my first boy Crow still lived, Ran would still be my choice cause he wasn’t as smart and thoughtful as Ran. That’s what got his ass killed. But I can’t make Ran the leader, the family has to do that and in time they will. Kane men are unique, in that there is no jealously or envy. One of them will emerge as leader, but that’s off a ways. I’ll help him because I think he’s worthy.”
“So I wasted a trip then?” she asked.
“Hell no you didn’t.” he said. “Plus you brought me a sweet young morsel.”
Celia slapped at him playfully.
“This is Lucy Shores, the girl Ran and the others saved from the Klan.” Emma stated proudly. “Her pa sent her here for her protection.”
“Who’s your pa?” Raven asked Lucy.
“Mr. Prescott Wellington, sir” Lucy replied.
“Prescott Wellington the businessman ?” asked Raven.
“Yes sir,” Lucy Answered.
“I’ve heard good things about your pa. He’s my kind of man..” Raven said. “I’d like to meet him. Meant to, but never got around to riding over that way.”
They sat around talking for a while, then Emma and Lucy rose to leave.
“Don’t be late now hear me?” Raven asked. “Go on home and start getting ready, cause this a special night for us!”
Emma and Lucy hugged Raven and Celia, then they got in the car and drove home.
“That Em is a special woman.” Raven said. “Ain’t no any kind of man could have her. I hope Ran knows how special she is.”
“He does,” said Celia. “Em was the first woman in the family to accept me or rather to accept us being together. All the others thought I was after your money, cause they don’t see you like I do. They see father, uncle or brother. Not lover, friend and confidant.”
“That’s because at the time, that’s all I was.” Raven said. “My wife was sickly for a number of years before she passed. I did my little catting, but nothing serious. Dove told me to find a wife or a companion. I didn’t really want to, cause it was kind of fun to be single. Then I met you. Girl you sure did change things. See, all of my life I’ve had a wife and responsibilities, that’s the way I was raised. You filled a hole, an empty space in my life and heart. I love you for that!”
“I love you too.” she said. “It ain’t like I didn’t know no other men, but you were different. And all of the older women wanted you for themselves. I told myself that if you were half the man they made you out to be, I would have you for myself. Yeah baby, I found out that you’re not half the man they said, but that and much more. I’ve never felt so loved or so safe, not even at home with my family. You’re a man and that’s what made the difference for me!”
* * * * “We got three cars.” Blake said to Ransom. “They’re all pieces of shit though. Gonna need a little work if we plan to get away in them.”
“Get the work done and get it done quick. Cause Monday, we’re gonna start our reign of terror on them crackers!” Ransom said. “Take the cars to Hootie Carson and tell him I said put a rush on it. We got two cars that are ready to go so we’ll need them by Wednesday at the latest.”
“Who’s gonna go the first time?” Pat asked. “I’d like to.”
“Me too,” Juan said. “ I Want them to feel like they’ve
made our folks feel. I want them crackers to panic every time they see a strange car!”
“Y’all two can go, but somebody else gonna be with you. I want two gunners in every car. All the driver does is drive. If you kill crackers it’s alright, cause that’s what we want.
“I want in on this too pa.” said Brooks.
“You got it son.” Ransom said smiling. “All of y’all are gonna have a part in it, cause we gonna send at least two cars every time.”
Lonnie looked at Ransom, and said. “What about me Ran?”
You’re family Lon so you got to take part. See, we gonna need every able bodied man if this is gonna work. Ain’t a one of us, better than any other. Each of us has his place and I expect everyone to tote his load. Ain’t no room for slacking, cause our lives gonna be on the line. We’ve got to be extra careful and if it goes like I think it will, we won’t have to do too much killin. So stay on your toes and ain’t no drinking while we’re working, cause we’ll need to be in full control. I think y’all better head on home and get ready for the party. Don’t be late or my pa will have your asses.” Ransom said. “Tigger you coming to the party?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world Ran. I wanna see Mace’s face when I show up.” said Tigger laughing
“What really happened between you and Mace?” asked Ransom.
“I’m married to his sister Margie and I guess that made Mace think I was under his rule. I work by my own rules and no man treats me like I’m some stupid kid, which is some of what Mace did. The rest is to try and cheat me out of what’s mine. See I ain’t had much book learning and some men take that to mean I’m dumb. I can cipher some if I take my time, but I can figure real good. Have to in my line of business, cause it takes exact measures. He tried to cheat me and I got a little rough with him. Now Mace is a fighter, but he ain’t young as he once was. He gave it a good go, but I put him down, then the boys decided to jump in. I gave them some lumps, but in the end they put me down. Would’ve killed me if Mace hadn’t stopped them. He didn’t kick me while I was down and I’m thankful cause I would’ve killed him. After that, I caught them boys of his one by one, and whipped them soundly. I ain’t had much to do with them since, but I got along well with Lola, she comes by the house regularly. When I do my drinkin I stay away from the house, cause Margie ain’t havin none of that around the little ones.” said Tigger smiling
