by Bobby Dennis
Ransom nodded and the two men got out of the car and walked to the house. The door opened and Emma stood there with relief in her eyes. Lucy stood at her back, gazing out of the door expectantly. The women still wore their party dresses.
“Em, put your shoes on, we got to go over to poppa’s house?” Ransom said.
“He ain’t there. He’s at Mace’s place.” she said.
“Well get your shoes and we’ll head over there! Tim, look after Lucy til we get back. It’s late and if you wanna sleep over, Lucy can get you some stuff to make a pallet.” Ransom and Emma got in the car and drove off.
“Like a drink Tim?” Lucy asked coyly.
“Yes I would, if you’ll have one with me.” he said.
“I don’t know if I should.” she said. “I ain’t much for that sort of thing.”
“Get us some coffee.” he said.
She smiled and left the room. Tim watched her walk away, her ass swaying hypnotically. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath.
She came back with a small tray that held two cups, two saucers and a small pot with steam coming from the spout. She made two cups of coffee, gave him one, then sat next to him on the sofa.
“I did have a fine time tonight. I ain’t never felt so beautiful and safe.” she said sliding closer to him. “You just introduced me and didn’t mention that incident.”
“No need to girl. That’s behind us, the future is my concern.” said Tim. “I think you’re a special woman and I’d enjoy it if you allow me to stop by to see you from time to time!”
I’d like that Tim.” said Lucy as he eased his arm around her shoulder. They snuggled close together and she lay her head on his shoulder.
* Ransom and Emma, pulled up to Mace’s house. They got out and walked to the door and knocked. They stood and waited, then Ransom knocked again. He heard someone coming, then Celia’s muffled voice floated out to them. “Who is it?”
“Ran and Em!” Ransom shouted. “I need to see my pa!”
Celia opened the door, and asked. “Do y’all know what time it is?”
“Yeah we do and it don’t look like you were sleeping girl.” said Emma giggling.
“Nosy heifer,” Celia said with mock anger. “Raven, Ran is here to see you!” she shouted.
“Damn it woman!” shouted Mace sleepily, as he walked into the room. “I thought I had heard the last of that when you moved out.”
Raven walked into the room and soon Lola was there too.
“It went well.” Ransom said to Raven and Mace.
The old men nodded. “Is that it?” Raven asked.
“I just wanted to let you know.” Ransom replied.
“Hell, all of you come out alright, you could’ve waited til morning.” Raven said gruffly. “Disturbing folk for nothing.” Inside, he was pleased that his son had gone out of the way to find him. “Y’all go on home, me and Celia got to get some sleep.”
“That’s what you call it now?” Lola asked smiling.
“Mind your own business Lo.” Raven said sheepishly.
Ransom and Emma drove back home, where they found Lucy and Tim cuddled up on the sofa. They looked at them, then Ransom said. “Don’t be up all night Tim, we got work to do come morning.”
Tim just looked up and smiled.
Trace dropped Blake off at Lane’s place, then he and Drake drove to Myra’s. When the men got inside, they saw that the women had fell asleep in the front room. Trace walked over to Lisa and gently shook her awake. She looked up at him with questioning eyes.
“Time to go home sleepy head.” Trace said smiling. Lisa stretched like a big cat and Drake saw her dress contour to her womanly curves. She sat up and rubbed her eyes as Trace woke Myra.
Myra stood, stretched, then said. “It’s nearly morning now, so let her sleep in the kids room. They’re still at my folks house, though Trace Jr. was ready to come home. That boy is getting a little too big for his brothers.”
“He’s 13 Myra and at his age my pa was married and all.”
“Well, you need to talk with him.” she said.
“I’ll do that.” Trace said reluctantly. “Drake you can sleep on the sofa, Lisa you know where the kids room is.”
Trace and Myra walked to their room and closed the door. Myra turned to him, and said. “I was serious about what I said at the party.”
He knew she was back on the marriage trip. He looked at her, then said. “My folks ain’t never marry the white folks way and it was good for them and us. Why you got to do it this way, when we been doing just fine?”
“Yeah, it’s fine for you. We got two growing kids and we live in different houses and you call that getting on just fine? Let me tell you how it affects me and the children.” she said.
He raised his hand to stop her. He pulled her into his arms and said. “Uncle Raven’s doing it, so it must be the right thing for these times. If it means that much to you, then I’m obligated to do it, because of the love I have for you. Tomorrow you can go bring all of my stuff and the stuff you and the kids got at the other house on here. We’ll rent the other house. I’ll talk to Blake and see how he feels about it. And if he says yeah, we can have the big party. If he doesn’t we’ll still have it. I love you Myra and I’ll do all I can to honor any wish you have!”
Myra squeezed her body against him, then asked. “You tired yet, I know you’ve had a hard day.”
“I’m tired sugar, but just what did you have in mind?” he asked.
“I thought you would give me a little lovin, before you get some rest. I’ll do all of the work, so you can just relax.”’ said Myra rubbing at his crotch.
He pinched her erect nipples between his big fingers, as she tenderly cupped his balls and stroked his swollen shaft. His hands danced over her stomach, fluttering softly like the gentle touch of butterfly wings. His hands came to her waist, glided over her flaring hips, and around to the full, firm globes of her ass. He squeezed and caressed them and slowly drew her closer. She released him and guided him to the big four poster bed. She lay him down, then kneeled beside him and resumed stroking him. He reached around and parted her fleshy lips. Up and down, he massaged the lips until his fingers came to the hard nub of her clit. He stroked the button, until she swung her hips to his hand. He plunged his fingers in her and her juices flowed freely. She breathed deeply, as his fingers brought her close to the edge. She stroked him erratically and finally she stopped all together and bucked rapidly against his insistent fingers.
With his free hand he guided her to him, she spread her legs so she was straddling him, holding on tightly to his stiff penis. As soon as she felt him enter her, she swung her hips rapidly down to him. He felt her warmth envelope him and he thrust up into her. She placed her hands on his chest and rode him swiftly. Her head tossed from side to side. She had her bottom lip trapped between her teeth, as she drew closer to an orgasm. Her body shuddered and she grinded down on him as her orgasm washed over her. He held her hips and pistoned in and out of her spasming box until he exploded in her.
She slumped forward dazedly and laid her head on his chest. He could still feel her clinching and unclenching, as she sighed contentedly. They had long ago learned to make love with minimal noise, so Drake and Lisa couldn’t have heard them all the way up front. What they didn’t know was, that Drake and Lisa were in the kids room.
They were so aware of each other, because the sexual tension was thick. They both knew what the sounds coming from Trace and Myra’s room meant, but they had not so much as kissed. Both lay there burning with desire and each knew that if the other made a move they wouldn’t deny themselves.
“Lisa, do you think we should be here alone in bed?” he asked.
“No we shouldn’t, we just met. I ain’t no virgin Drake and I don’t want to give you that impression. I know you ain’t neither, cause I done heard about you. I don’t want to be one of your little conquest. I ain’t the kind of woman to run around and I respect a man’s wish to be a man, but
I expect my man to respect me above all else.” she said.
“It sounds like you’re laying the ground rules here, Lisa.” Drake aid softly. “I understand your point of view on both relationships and the distorted vision of me. I’ve had my escapades with the fairer sex, but I’ve always been honest in my intentions. You know I feel physical attraction to you, definitely sexual attractions, but I also feel something I’ve never felt before. I don’t have a name for it. I feel comfortable in your presence, I feel I’ve always known you. How long I’ll feel this way I can’t say, because I’ve never felt this way before.”
She rolled over on her side and looked at him. He rolled over, so they were face to face.
“I want to know you.” he said softly, as their lips grazed.
Her head moved closer, and she kissed him lightly. His tongue flicked into her mouth and she sucked greedily at it. Never did their bodies touch.
She broke the kiss and looked in his eyes and pleaded. “No more Drake. Let’s give it some time!”
He nodded, then leaned in and kissed her passionately. She didn’t resist and he knew he could take her then, but instead he broke the kiss. Then he reached out and caressed the silky smooth skin of her cheek. “No pressure!” he said softly against her lips. They lay there, lips touching, just staring into each others eyes. They both had thoughts. He, “This is the one.”
She, “It feels so right, I think he’s the one.”
They feel asleep and before long she lay curled in his arms in the manner of old lovers.
* CHAPTER # 18 *
Amy White, came into the Wellington’s store and walked to the counter where Beth and Eula stood smiling. “Did y’all hear about the black night riders that beat hell out of Bull Parsons and his crew last night?” Amy asked.
Prescott stepped from the back and caught the last part of the question. “What was that Amy?” he asked.
“A group of black night riders, busted up Bull Parsons and his goons last night.” Amy said gleefully. “They beat Wally’s ass too, them boys left their mark that’s for sure!”
“How do you feel about that Amy. Don’t you think that will just make it worse?” he asked.
“How much worse can it get? What they gonna do now, lynch us? Hell, they do that already. Beat us? They do that too. I say it’s about time, that’s how I feel. Hell, I wish I could’ve seen it. They say Bull shitted on himself.” she said laughing.
All that day, until they closed at noon, the news came floating in. Prescott, said to himself. “They really did it. I’ll be damned.” he chuckled and his two women looked at him.
“What’s so funny darling?” asked Beth.
He waved her off, and Eula asked. “Them men from last night, they’re the ones aren’t they?”
He looked at her, then said. “You never saw them, if you see them again, act like you don’ know them. Lucy’s life is in the balance here, as well as ours!”
“I didn’t mean no harm Pres. I’m glad they did it.” Eula said.
“So am I, to a degree, but no one besides us is to know. Those are hard men, Eula. I doubt if either of us has met men of their caliber, the entire system is against them, but they choose to fight. And they use the same tactics their enemies use, fear and terror!” he said. “Since today is Sunday, what would you ladies like to do?”
Elisabeth looked at him lustfully and said. “I’d like to practice that stuff we did yesterday, or should I say last night, or was that this morning?”
They both laughed, as Beth headed up the stairs to their room. She halted and looked at them, then asked. “What are we gonna do when Lucy comes back?”
“Sit her down and spell it out for her.” Eula said. “In the mean time let’s get that practice in!”
* * * * “I don’t give a damn what them niggers said!” Bull roared from his swollen mouth. “Them sons of bitches humiliated me and they’re gonna pay!”
“Now Bull, I know you want revenge, but think about it. Them niggers done rampaged thru town and to top it off, they stole our fuckin horses. They serious and before we make our next move we got to be ready for them.” said Oscar.
“I’m ready now.” Bull said angrily. “Them niggers barged into my house and scared the shit out of my wife. They threatened to rape her in my face, man!”
Bubba just sat there and listened to Bull rant. He knew Bull was a headstrong man and a powerful enemy. But, if they let Bull have his way, he’d turn the town into a slaughter house.
“If it was me, I’d give it some thought. See them niggers ain’t all the way dumb. They know that as night riders we’re outside the law, but as deputies we can bust their asses. So, I suggest we put the pressure on tomorrow during the day. We’ll stop every nigger, male, female, or child that’s driving or in any kind of vehicle and we’ll rough them up. Go easy on the women and children or all of the niggers might revolt!” said Bubba softly.
“That’s it,” said Bull. “I’ll personally take part in this.”
“Oh no!” said Simon. “You get well and let the boys handle this. There’ll be plenty of niggers left to feel your wrath!”
* * * * “I think we should be operating fully by week after next.” Tigger said. “All of you boys have been a big help, as far as building the stills. If y’all prove to be as useful during the brewing process, we may be ready even sooner!”
All of the Kanes were present at the location where the last still would be built. “I’d like to bring Drake Mace in with us on this.” said Trace. “I like the man personally.”
“I think that would be a good thing, but he works for his father. Why would he leave to do the same thing for us?” Raven asked.
“He’d be better suited for working with us. I don’t think Mace’s thing is big enough to continuously provide wealth for all of them.” Trace said. “It would benefit him financially to work with us.”
“So, your saying he’ll choose money over family?” Raven asked.
“No he won’t. I sense he’s loyal to his family. If you recall last night, he said we were family. Mace knows his operation can ill afford to support six men, their wives and children.” Trace said.
“I think Drake’s a fine man, but I think we ought to wait and see if Mace’s operation can support them all.” Raven said. “It’s much to soon to start taking away from Mace. He and I are getting along better than we have in the thirty years I’ve known him and I’d hate him to think I had an ulterior motive for being with Celia.”
“I see your point.” Trace said. “I’ll hint around and feel Drake out on the issue.”
“Do that and I’ll toss Mace a bone and see if he naws on it or what.” Raven said.
The men stood around talking, then Ransom stepped in the middle and motioned the men forward.
“This is the way the operation is going to be set up and each of our places in it. Tigger is going to brew and keep the stills running. Pa, you and the elders will be under him. I expect each of you to learn the process. Lon, Cellus, Brooks, y’all gonna be the drivers. It will be your job to make sure the liquor gets to the people. Tim, you’ll be the point man, you go in first and set things up. The rest of us will provide protection for our merchandise. Everyone is important, so no one, I mean no one gets too big for their britches. Tim you need to get with Ty and have him introduce you to all his people. This is going to be very profitable. The areas we want are far and wide, at least ten or twelve times what Mace is dealing with and that means plenty of money for us!”
“Gonna be plenty of trouble too!” said Raven. “White folks been in charge so long, that they done forgot that things could be reversed. We lived thru a similar situation in the old days. This was way before you was born. We stumbled up on change and from that point on we been looking ahead. Our major concern has never been riches. What it’s been is the survival of the clan!”
Ransom cut in, “That’s not our sole goal, pa. In order for us to make it in the future we’ll need riches, we’ll need to be peopl
e of substance.”
Raven looked at his son and knew that Ransom’s words touched on truth. “Son I can see your point of view and I don’t disagree fully. See, we are people of substance. We’re Kanes and we set a certain standard by which we live. I’ll back any idea or plan, that in the long run will benefit us as a whole.”
“I know you will pa.” Ransom said. “This is for the good of the clan. If we lay docile and let the powers that be remain, then we’ll suffer the fate of the down trodden. We’ve got to make a stand here! If this goes in our favor, then we can practically control the reins of power.”
“Ogilvey!” said Eagle loudly. “Remember Wilber?”
“How can we forget?” asked Cougar.
“Ran sees it from Raven’s point of view.” said Falcon. “When we took the trading post, Raven knew that we wouldn’t be able to run the post, cause whites wouldn’t deal with us. So he got Wilber Ogilvey to front for us and we gave him a percentage of the profits. We can’t run the town, but we can run who runs the town!”
“Falc’s right,” said Hawk. “Different scenario, same situation!
“Y’all are right about that much, but the bottom line is this. Those were different times, the land seemed to be much larger then and the only law was the one we made and enforced. Times are different now, things can’t be settled the old ways, at least not everything. Pa, provided us with the tools to survive in the new age. How many blacks or Indians you know can read, write and comprehend as well as we do? None I’d bet. The key to our survival lies in the knowledge we have and pass on to our offspring. That’s true riches! Raven said.
* CHAPTER # 19 *
Monday at around noon, the town was crawling with deputized Klansmen. They stopped every car that rode thru and beat the men who were bold enough to stand.
Bull, Shel and Oscar sat in the jail drinking whiskey. Bull looked at the others, and said. “What we really need to do, is set them niggers up. They said every time we ride, so would they. Now they know where we live and I got to give it to them even though I don’t want to, they got balls. What we do is, we put men in each of the houses they attacked last time. Then we ride and each of us go to the houses and wait until they show up. Then we kill the sons of bitches!”
