Ebony Peacock

By Becky Park

Ebony Peacock tries to give insight to a past world with compassion, humor, friendship and inner strength. It showcases night clubs called panzy clubs that were the forerunner to drag queen night clubs. This book, while historical fiction, shows a world of African-American history that won’t be found in history books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TOPLINK PUBLISHING, LLC
• Release date: Jul 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781947620223

Becky Park

Becky has lived in Windsor, Colorado for 30 years with her family of a daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, two sons and her two dogs. She has worked at a grocery store for five years. She has dabbled in writing since high school and loves writing placing her stories in the 1930’s.

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Ebony Peacock

Ebony Peacock

Becky Park

Copyright © 2017 by Becky Park.

HARDBACK: 978-1-947620-21-6

PAPERBACK: 978-1-947620-20-9

EBOOK: 978-1-947620-22-3

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Chapter One Curious

Chapter Two Challenging

Chapter Three School Days

Chapter Four Summer Time

Chapter Five The Competition

Chapter Six Darius V. Franklin

Chapter Seven The Devastation

Chapter Eight The Plan

Chapter Nine The Future

Chapter Ten Things getting ugly

Chapter Eleven 1932

Chapter Twelve The Beginning of the End

Chapter Thirteen The Future Awaits

CHAPTER ONE

Curious

Darius Metcalfe, III was already in trouble with his dad. He had been doing a lot of lying. Not to mention he was missing a lot church and choir practice.

So, he figured what could make it worse, stealing! But the fact that what he was thinking about stealing was of all things a tube of Saturday Night Red lipstick made it even worse.

Darius had started to hear about night clubs called panzy clubs where adult men - adult negro men dressed s women: dresses, wigs, cosmetics, performed on stage, singing and dancing as women entertainers.

Darius was intrigued by this and at the same time deeply disturbed by it. His church upbringing and the macho men in his life, dad and granddad, told him this kind of behavior was sinful.

Darius had been brought up with not only stories from the bible but from grandfather, his granddad, Darius Metcalfe, Sr., born a slave in 1861. Granddad Darius had grown up hearing stories from his parents about the beatings, whippings and murder of men who were caught dressing and acting as women.

As Darius stood in the cosmetic section at the Kresge store he was torn, should he, shouldn’t he?

He finally walked out. He couldn’t do it, at least, not yet.

In fact, he decided to go to church and pray for some kind of answer, not to the stealing of the lipstick but the idea of wearing a dress in public as a woman.

Darius got to the church and sat in the pew, praying.

Welcome, Mr. Metcalfe! said a very stern voice.

Reverend Watson! Darius said meekly.

You have been missed in church and choir!

Yes, Sir, I’ve . . . . . Darius couldn’t respond.

I’ve what? Challenged the Reverend, a pause, Darius, a softer tone, Son, I care about you, I baptized you. You can, I hope, feel free to talk with me about anything, everything." To drive home his point the Reverend put his hand on Darius’ shoulder.

I know that, Sir, I’m just not sure of how I feel or how to explain it to myself, much less you or anyone else. So, if you don’t mind, with all due respect, I’d like to be left alone to ask Jesus to help me figure this out.

Darius dropped his and prayed, "Dear Jesus, who I have these most unholy thoughts on many thing? I know stealing is wrong! I’ve grown up with talk of manly men and womanly women. Why such crazy ideas? Come talk to me to help me see the light of your most righteous ways, Amen!’

The Reverend was not use to being dismissed in any way, shape or form by anyone such less a skinny teenager. He stood there for a moment looking at Darius with his own emotions in turmoil about this situation.

Finally, the Reverend squeezed Darius’ shoulder, put his hand in pockets and walked away. Reverend Watson was going to have to do some praying himself, and thinking about, not only, this seemly troubled teen but others.

Times were not easy for anyone. The Depression of 1931 was starting to rob many, many people of honor and dignity. The Reverend found it harder to tell and convince his congregation that better times were just around the corner.

After sitting there alone for quite some time Darius left the church to catch up with his friend, Marc. Marc had introduced Darius to the world of panzy clubs. Their favorite club was Ebony Peacock. This club featured negro performers of all ages.

Darius and Marc saw men who were old enough to be their dad or much older brothers walking into the club wearing drag. They saw very elegant evening gowns, granted some looked a little worse for wear, but still elegant. Some of the dresses were maybe ten years old, others a bit newer. Some were shorter, cocktail dresses and looked newer.

Darius found himself liking the cocktail dresses more. He liked the shorter length, the form fitting dresses. Marc liked everything he saw.

Darius and Marc, also watched as white people stood on the sidewalk to watch the ladies walk in.

Unfortunately, they, too, heard the angry shouts of ‘homo’ to the ladies. People could sort of, accept these men openly dressing as women, performing as women entertainers but the openly homosexual man was till a huge open sore. It was ok to be cross dresser just not a homosexual!

Darius and Marc watched as one lady was not only verbally assaulted she was pushed hard. The only reason she didn’t fall was because Marc caught her.

Thank you, Son, I’m ok! The lady locked eyes with Marc. I’m ok! So are you, so are you! She was adamant in tone to Marc. She found her footing, straightened her dress, adjusted her shawl, licked her finger, smoothed out her eyebrow and strutted into the club.

She stopped a brief moment turned to Marc and blew him a kiss. Marc felt a bit awkward inside getting a kiss blown at him from a drag lady somewhat older than himself.

After that Marc and Darius turned to the white man who pushed her.

Hey, Man, why did you push her, why are you here? Darius said hotly to the man.

This isn’t about me, it’s about you and your hate toward people different from you. Go home! Darius shouted Go home!

Then he did the unthinkable, Darius pushed the white guy hard enough knock him down. And Darius felt good!

He watched as the white man tumbled awkwardly to the sidewalk in front of a lot other white people. The white people didn’t offer him a hand to stop him and turned away from him in disgust.

At worse there were some ‘if looks could kill’ looks at Darius and Marc. They heard words of ‘uppity homo’ but no physical action was taken against them.

People had decided that since it was Saturday night and the weather was nice to go have good time at Ebony Peacock and for the moment look the other way about any social indiscretions.

After that the guys had to decide what to do with their Saturday night.

Now what? Marc said looking rather sheepish. I’m broke so it’s not like we can go in and enjoy the show or anything!

I gotta get home. I’m gonna go to church tomorrow. Gotta try to make peace with Reverend Watson. I’ve kinda been men to him, a meanness he doesn’t deserve. Darius said as he stuffed his hand in his pockets.

The guys head home quietly. They lived a couple of blocks away from each other so they stayed together. They knew without saying anything that Darius pushing a white man could have real nasty consequences. So they headed home taking zig zaggy way, not a straight shot.

About two blocks from home they saw a mob milling around saying things like ‘uppity negro’ and other nasty things.

Darius and Marc hid behind a bush to decide what to do with real panic on their faces. They’d heard about gangs like this and it was never good for a negro no matter what their gender.

Look, we can go to my cousins’ house and stay the night. Marc said grabbing Darius’ arm. I’m scared, Dare, really scared! You shouldn’t have pushed that honkey.

I know, Marc, I know, the honkey deserved it! Darius said desperately God, Marc, I’m scared!

Will your cousin be ok with the two of us showing up at her door at this hour, it’s midnight!"

Yea, Emma will be ok with it. Come on, Dare, we gotta get off the streets. Marc slapped Darius’ arm and headed back down the street to cousin Emma’s house for protection.

Marc got them to Emma’s house without being seen. He knocked on the back door then tried the door knob. It was unlocked, not unusual, so Marc walked in. As the guys walked in the head a sound that scared the hell out of them.

Who’s there? I got a gun!" Said a very scared woman’s voice.

Oh God, Emmy, it’s Marc, put the shot gun down, please! God, Emmy, don’t shoot! A very frightened Marc begged.

What the hell are you doing out at THIS HOUR? Does your mama know you’re gallivanting around like this? I damn near shot your! Emma said as she uncocked the gun. The lights came on and the guys saw all five feet nothing of Emma holding a double barrel pump shot gun that was almost overpowering her. Boy, did you do something stupid? Why you be showing up here at this hour? Emma demanded to know. Marc had shown up at her house at this hour before so she was somewhat use to it.

Darius here done got stupid and pushed a white guy at the club? Marc explained.

You done what? Emma looked at Darius in disbelief. Ebony Peacock?

Yea, Peacock! Darius said. How’d you know?"

Marky, here, likes that club a lot. Sometimes, Dare, you one stupid boy! You pushed it! You touched a honkey?! You need a pace to stay tonight? Emma asked softly.

Yea, Em, please! There’s a mob out there, probably looking for us, me! We can’t get home! I’m scared! Darius begged.

With that Emma turned off the lights, no need to draw attention to ourselves! Tell me everything that happened. Marky, what am I going to do with you two? She smiled.

So, in the safety of Cousin Emma’s house the guys and her talked about the events of the evening and why they were at that particular club in general.

In the morning, they guys got up to face an uncertain day. Darius still knew he had to go to church. He headed out Emma’s back door, looked both ways and decided to take the long way to church. It added another ten minutes but it was a different way and Darius felt different hoping it would be a good day. As Darius headed down the street he was still amazed by the sight of small groups of white men hanging around street corners, he tried to avoid them until he heard the most terrifying words!

He heard a man yell at him hey, Boy, come here!

Shit! Darius was scared already.

Yes, Sir! Darius said humbly looking down at the street with his hands at his side, so the white man could see them - no threat!

Last night a darkie boy was seen walking with a nice white girl. You know anything about that, Boy? The white man got so in Darius’ face that Darius could smell his breath.

No, Sir, I don’t know nothing about any white girl. Darius was sure the white guy could hear his heart pumping and could smell his fear.

A negro man being seen with a white female would mean any of a number of bad things, a beating, to yes, a whipping, to even a lynching and most of the time it resulted in a lynching. Darius had friends who had been beaten, bore the scars both emotional and physical from a whipping and had gone to funerals because they had been lynched,

Where the hell were you last night? The man demanded.

I was at a friend’s house. Darius tried to tell the truth while not telling much of anything to protect Marc and Emma.

The white man stared menacingly at Darius while listening. Darius was waiting for the beating to begin because the man’s friends were standing behind him. This very tense situation lasted several minutes while the men behind him mocked him.

After several minutes where at one point Darius about peed his pants in fear, the lead white man finally said, ‘well, ok! Where you be headed now?"

Church! Darius could barely answer he was so scared.

You gonna be praying for all your sins, right, Boy? All right, you best leave our women folk alone! The white man said for some strange reason. Hear me, Boy?

Yes, Sir, I hear ya. Darius answered while not understanding why he was being told to leave white women alone.

Darius then started to walk away from the situation slowly. Inside he was shaking like a leaf and sweating buckets but showed nothing but calm on the outside.

When he saw his church he ran to it, he ran like he was running for his life which he realized he pretty much was after the that confrontation. He ran for the safety, not only of the building itself but, literally the emotional safety of a hug from Reverend Watson. Darius knew now that he needed Reverend Watson’s physical, emotional and religious strength.

He slammed the church door behind him and leaned against the door breathing heavily. He realized he was saying the Lord’s prayer.

Darius, what happened? It was the church secretary Gladys Pippin.

Miss Gladys, I ain’t never been this dang scared in my entire life! Where’s the Rev? Darius slid down the door and sat on the floor crying.

Gladys turned to go into the nave, where the Sunday morning service is held, Rev, you better get out here now!

Reverend Watson came out curious. Gladys was so forceful that he knew he had to come. What he saw scared even him!

Darius, Son, what in blue blazes happened? The reverend, with difficulty from arthritic knees, got down on the floor to wrap his arms around Darius. He pulled Darius’ head to his chest as if he were a baby sh sh sh, you’re safe now, you’re safe!

After awhile Darius finally was able to talk. He told the reverend and Gladys about the incident with the white men.

You’re safe now, Son! Have you ever even looked at a white woman? The reverend asked.

No, Rev, I ain’t never talked to a white woman outside the club. I know how dangerous it is to do that. Darius sat up and pulled, a bit, away from the reverend.

Ok, at a minimum you keep doing that, at a maximum you don’t talk to white women even inside the club and seriously, don’t ever touch white people. They don’t like it when we touch them.

Reverend Watson told him. He had to shift his body around to get to a chair to get back up on his feet.

Now, you think you can sing in the choir this morning? The reverend offered his hand to help Darius up.

Yes, Sir, I think I can! Darius felt better both physically and emotionally!

Go get your robe on. Reverend Watson told him. That boy, Gladys, is definitely a challenge.

Yes, Sir, he may have challenges but ya know, he can sure sing ‘Amazing Grace.’ He sings that like it was done written for him. So, I’m gonna tell Nancy to play that so Darius can sing it! With that Gladys headed up front to the organ to tell Nancy of the last minute change in music.

When Nancy heard Darius was going to sing she didn’t mind at all. She pulled out the sheet music for Amazing Grace and asked when he was going to sing.

Well, Nancy you drop a song and put Amazing Grace in and Darius will sing! He knows the song. This is gonna be good!

Reverend Watson gave a prayer on being brave and fearless in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds while thinking of Darius and the experience he had recanted to him.

When Darius heard the opening notes of Amazing Grace he stood up and felt at home. He closed his eyes and sang beautifully, people cried and wiped tears from their eyes.

Reverend Watson was the podium and he, too, closed his eyes d emotionally drank in the song, the voice.

After the song, it took a bit of time the reverend could speak.

Thank you, Darius, thank you! Beautiful, just beautiful!

For the next hour the reverend spoke of the Lord, His love, His grace, His miracles.

Darius sat and for the most part listened with moments of going back to that Saturday Night Red lipstick that he saw at the dime store.

Would I look good in that shade? Darius asked himself. God, is this a sin that I feel this way? Why for me does it seem right, natural? God, am I mistake that you made, a freak? A joke that only you get? Why me?

It scared him so bad that he started to cry. People in the congregation who noticed thought that Darius was that moved by Reverend Watson’s sermon.

After church Darius hung up his choir robe and started to leave. Many people came up to him to tell him how beautifully he sang and they had missed him. He humbly thanked them while feeling like a fool.

Still scared and uncertain about his safety Darius walked with some other kids from church. He was glad that this time a guy named Franklin, a fellow student and a boxer from high school lived right next door so he wasn’t alone.

Soon some of the kids peeled away to go to their homes and that left Darius and Franklin to walk together. They walked in silence yet totally aware of their surroundings.

Everyone on Darius’ block, by now, had heard about the many small groups of white men who had prowled the neighborhood next to theirs harassing everyone they came across.

Everyone was still trying to figure out why that neighborhood was targeted. Some decided the white men had gotten drunk and just picked out any negro neighborhood to harass!

The guys made it to their houses without incident.

Uuuu, Franklin, uuuu, it was good walking back with you. Darius struggled with his words.

Yea, sure, Darius, look I know you don’t like me for some reason but I’m glad we walked together. We’ll see you around. Franklin looked at Darius then headed up his sidewalk into his house.

Darius stood watching Franklin walk away. ‘What is