The Common Threads Trilogy: Common Threads Iii

By L.A. Champagne

This is the final book in the Common Threads Triology.
Common Threads begins with two family stories, one as slaves from Africa and one fleeing the potato famine in Scotland and how the underground railroad brings them together to form one multi-racial clan. In Common Threads II we follow Liz & Joe Allen to Philadelphia, Mississippi for their dream jobs. Unbeknownst to them, the Klan was active in the area and raising their family brought many challenges. The final book, More Common Threads, brings you to 1970 and follows the Allen family’s saga as the boys mature and deal with sibling rivalry, homosexuality, and racism in Mississippi during this turbulent decade. The success of the family potato farm and golf course in Chatham, Ontario grew from strong family values and the Common Threads of a simple Scottish Tartan and an African Kente robe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781532093302

L.A. Champagne

L. A. Champagne lives life part-time in a wheelchair and leg brace due to the progression of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. She shares her life in Barrie, Ontario with Bill, her partner of 25 years, and is very proud of her growing family. This is her final book in the trilogy.

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Copyright © 2021 L.A. Champagne.

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed

did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names,

and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel

are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-9329-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-9331-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-9330-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021903305

iUniverse rev. date:  02/25/2021

The

Common

Threads

Trilogy

Is Dedicated to My Daughter

Beverlee and her family,

Ripper, Turtle, Kiki, Katy, Dusty and

Little Man, Theo

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Chapter 1     Stormy Weather

Chapter 2     Unjust Beginnings

Chapter 3     Home To The Farm

Chapter 4     New Venture

Chapter 5     Remembering A Friend

Chapter 6     The New Teacher

Chapter 7     Rebellion

Chapter 8     Life In Segregation

Chapter 9     Doctor Hathaway

Chapter 10   Change Of Heart

Chapter 11   Initiation

Chapter 12   The Final Initiation

Chapter 13   The Runaways

Chapter 14   Hospital For Sick Children

Chapter 15   Born Again

Chapter 16   Hitching To California

Chapter 17   Fatal Accident

Chapter 18   End Of A President

Chapter 19   Learning To Walk & Talk Again

Chapter 20   L.A. Arrival

Chapter 21   Mississippi Summer Project

Chapter 22   The Tournament

Chapter 23   Rape & Murder

Chapter 24   Heart Attack Overdose

Chapter 25   The Phone Call

Chapter 26   Life Changes

Chapter 27   Christmas Is For Giving

Chapter 28   From Boys To Men

Chapter 29   Gunned Down

Chapter 30   Goodbye L.A.

Dedication

To Someone who has been a steady rock of

Support, strength, patience, knowledge and sometimes

the funniest, kindest man I know. We have

shared our lives over 26 years.

To Bill (William); Thank you my best friend

What can say? I Love You for all your help with the books.

Bless you!!

Acknowledgements

F IRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT to thank my wonderful family and friends.

To my only child, my beautiful daughter Bev who has always been the light of my life, I wish to give a very special thank you. You have inspired me to do many things, but when you encouraged me to write the novel that was in my head, which lead to this trilogy; I felt I could do it, as long as my health could hold up.

The day my second granddaughter Turtle was born, I went home from the hospital after seeing and holding her. I later fell asleep and this entire novel-turned-trilogy popped into my head and I got up and started making notes. Thank you, sweetie!

My daughter was very patient during the writing process. Although we live 300 miles apart, we were on the phone almost every day…usually from me to her!

Let’s face it; being my adult child, it was more recent that she went to school than me. I felt she could be an invaluable source of knowledge. She was and always is! She helped with formation of sentence and paragraph structure, along with punctuation (although, I have to give spell-check a thank you here too, for my many errors). Bev’s computer skills and assistance with research was invaluable, too.

She constantly gave me courage and strength to finish the job. Even when I had to take a year or so break in publishing this book two of the Trilogy, for a traumatic, extensive surgery which was in many ways a serious downfall to my mind, body and soul. But she helped pick me up, dust me off and point me in the right direction, again. For this I admire and love you my dear!

I thank you for being there in the mornings to pass ideas to, in case they were ridiculous. Thank you for the afternoons I called, just to say, My brain is exhausted…talk English to me; without slang or an accent! Then there were some late nights to discuss all the baby and childhood developments. She is a great advisor, since she is the mom of two very active, beautiful girls. I always felt she is a much more experienced mother than I. She already had an almost 2-year-old daughter, Kiki, when Turtle was born, so I tapped into all the knowledge she had about new babies and toddlers. She had more bravery than me: to have more than one child…I salute you dear!

She could give me great insight into siblings growing up young, together. I had three older siblings, but don’t remember what I felt at such an early age. She could tell me so much about ‘kids’ and stuff; many things I’d forgotten about. Also, things were not the same now, as when I was a kid! I was so out of touch. My daughter has the greatest experiences at being a mom. As busy as my daughter was and is, she always has time for me. Same goes for my son-in-law, Randy and ‘our girls’. Thanks for everything Bev! I love you!

The next hiatus I had to take was more recent. A couple more head surgeries and a new bladder was built for me before I could edit book 3 Common Threads III. This book is the final novel of The Common Threads Trilogy.

Forward almost a decade; my daughter and her husband officially tied the knot and permanently brought his children into their home; giving us two more grandchildren. An older beautiful sister and handsome brother made for four grandchildren; and now a great-grandson. I am (we are) so proud of each and every one of them. They helped, in their own ways, by being the age group that my twins in the trilogy are. I got great insight from listening, hearing what they go through as teenagers and pre-teens and processing this and backing it up to the era my fictitious twins grew up in. They all have grown into responsible (the girls are still going through schools graduations and my grandson, a very responsible and loving father to his son) young adults and their experiences helped me stay grounded always, to young peoples’ needs, wants and emotions during my editing of Common Threads III.

I Thank Bill, my partner for 26 years you have cared for me, believed in me and helped me with every aspect of my life from the day we met. During the time I was researching and then the writing the Trilogy, you were very patient, distractively quiet at time, (which can drive someone nuts, dear!) and helpful.

It is funny that you can know someone for a quarter century and you never realize the knowledge your mate holds! He has told me more than once that he has all sorts of useless bits of information, but in this case, much of his knowledge was quite useful for my project! I am not surprised really…thanks dear for all your help.

To Dad, Sharon, Mom, My Departed Granny and my 3 sisters and brother, you all helped me in all your different ways, even if you didn’t know it. Thank you and I love you all forever.

A huge thank you has to go to Dr. Joseph A. Zadra, BSC, MD, CM, FRCS(C) Urologist. Without his help, this novel would not be written with the medical and golf knowledge, it contains. This man was a wealth of knowledge, when it came to all the medical facts; and I credit him for writing the famous ‘Honeymoon Golf Game, with The Bet’, at St. Andrews Ancient Golf Course, in Scotland 1850’s, which appears in book 1 Common Threads, chapter 4…

Without Joe’s help this would be a mundane average novel, but with his infinite energy, dedication, enthusiasm, and great encouragement, it is a novel filled with intriguing medical and golf information; as well as an incredible story and amazing quotes on the covers of book 2 and 3 Common Threads II and Common Threads III. I thank you, my dear friend…Dr. J. Zadra!

The other valuable writing assistance I received came from The Late Reverend Donald French (Ret.). I wasn’t much on writing funerals, so Rev. Don came to my rescue. He wrote a very dignified funeral for a major, beloved character in book 2, Common Threads, chapter 17. Bless You Reverend Don.

To Rita Quinn, BA., - My great proof-reader, who took on this massive project. It was her wonderful reviews, after she read each chapter, page-by-page, that also kept me going. She encouraged me to keep writing and helped keep me positive. After the first book, she told me I was her new ‘favorite author’ and couldn’t wait to get the next book. Thank you, Rita, for your belief in me!

I also wish to acknowledge the following people, who helped in their areas of expertise. Their knowledge was invaluable. Thank you. Since this project took so long to publish some of the following people may have retired from their work and gone on to other parts of their lives.

Esther Ofori, BSc N, RN, Toronto Western Hospital - Toronto, ON (Twi Translation) - As I was a patient on the Neuro-Surgery Ward in this hospital, Esther was one of my nurses. I learned that she came from the Ashanti Tribe, and when she walked into my room, she was my character, Afua (Mary). She is a beautiful lady, who brought my character to life. Thank you, and your family, Esther.

Rev. Bruce Musgrave, M. Div., Certified Chaplain, CAPPE, RVH - Barrie, ON

Susan J. Booth, Funeral Director - Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home - Barrie, ON

Dr. Russell Price, MD FRCP (C) FCAP - Medical Director Dept. Laboratory Medicine, RVH - Barrie, ON

Dr. J.J. Scheeres, MD FRCS (C) Obstetrics & Gynecology, RVH - Barrie, ON Sergeant Sandra Gregory, Toronto Police Services (Ret.)

James Sweeney, Reg. N. – Former Patient Representative, RVH - Barrie, On (My wonderful Scottish connection)

Carolyn Moran, M.R.C.S.L.T. Speech-Language Pathologist, RVH - Barrie, ON

Caite Harvie-Conway, BSc IBCLC Certified Lactation Consultant, RVH - Barrie, ON

Patricia McAllister, Seed Potato Specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Crop Diversification Centre North

Liz Taylor - St. Andrews History

Terry Reimer, Dir. of Research, National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Frances McLay, PA to Deirdre A. Kinloch Anderson, Director - Kinloch Anderson Ltd. (Marriage Kerchief)

I also want to acknowledge the following web sites, and contacts, belonging to them. Since this project took so long to publish, some of these sites may have moved or closed.

http://www.wikipedia.org - My biggest source of information for so many subjects

http://www.electricscotland.com/burns/burns_boy.htm - Scotland

http://www.eiu.edu/~localite/britain/scotland.htm - Scotland

http://www.ashanti.com.au/pb/wp_8078438f.html?0.988502891236146 - Ashanti Tribe

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/enlightenment/index.shtml - Scotland

http://www.scottishradiance.com/archive.htm#history - Scotland

http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/burke.html - Scotland

http://www.ww1cemeteries.com (Brent Whittam and Terry Heard)

http://www.languagemarketplace.com, Kimone Morgan - Translation

Foreword

BOOK 1 – COMMON THREADS

FORWARD

Y OU ARE EMBARKING ON THE continuing journey of the McDonald, McGee and Allen families.

The first part of the story introduced us to many members of the two large Scottish families and the African couple, kidnaped from their countries, while both were children in the 1850’s.

Johnny McDonald and Diana McGee, married in the mid-19th Century, and when the potato blight destroyed their crop, they tried their luck, by traveling over the great Atlantic Ocean. Hearing there was good farming land in central Canada, they moved to Chatham Ontario and bought some prime potato-growing acreage.

At the same time period, Berko Yaba and soon after Afua Kakira were kidnaped and sold into slavery. They were put up at slave auctions in Jamaica and bought by a kindly plantation owner, Jacob Marcus. Their lives were very turbulent, with murders, torture and every kind of deplorable sexual act, known to man, lurking around them.

Jacob, changed the names of his two slaves to Jed and Mary, Allen, which happened by Jed and Mary marrying. The two suffered at the hands of neighboring plantation owner Ethan Jordan, who was not above murder. Upon Jacobs death, Jed and Mary were WILLED to his cousin, Mississippi cotton plantation owner, Jeremiah Marcus. Jacob was sure they would be treated properly, but he could not be more wrong. Mary was nearly raped by their new owner and that was the night that Jed and Mary were to escape from the plantation and make their way through the Underground Railroad, from Mississippi, into the arms and hearts of Johnny and Diana McDonald.

The two couples, one black and one white, began their lives living and working together on Olde McDonald’s Potato Farm and Olde McDonald’s Golf Course.

BOOK 2 – COMMON THREADS II

You are still on a continuing journey of the threads which are discreetly woven into book 1 Common Threads and they continue to wind their way through this second book to

Common Threads II. They are very subtle but see how many common threads you can come up with after this Trilogy.

The second book starts you off I the part of the 190after Liz and Joseph become man and wife. As Joe’s skills became very known in Ontario, through his management who often found opportunities for their men, he was recruited for a job in Philadelphia, Mississippi which he and Liz excitedly accepted. Joe and Liz pack up their truck, Baby Blue as he calls it, and they pass through the Ambassador Bridge and customs into the US. At customs in the US they are given a very rough time trying to believe that they are a couple, man and wife, black and white, being married, crossing the border with a truck full of furniture. You may draw your own conclusions as to why they were held up. As they travel through many of the States they are given the same harsh treatment they received at customs and wonder if they have chosen the right destiny.

They finally arrive at their destination stopping at a motel that will offer them a cottage to rent for a week. They have just been looking through the housing advertisements in the local newspaper and they finally find a house which happens to be on number 2 Gilbert Street, Philadelphia, Mississippi, USA. As Joe prepares himself to get ready to meet his new boss and his new coworkers, Liz goes to the library to find out which examinations she will have to acquire to become a teacher and teach in Mississippi. She already has the Ontario, Canada teaching certificate but she needs one from Mississippi. She discovers where she needs to go to employ a housekeeper.

You will find new characters in book 3, but book 2 has given you the main characters that you want to learn about. Yes, in this book you will find that there are many ups and downs of a multi-racial family living in the southern states of the United States of America. Joseph works at Benson & Associates construction. He is one of 8 very skilled engineers and he comes to learn that not only is he not really welcome because of his colour; he is also living in Ku Klux Klan territory! There are many threats to Joseph but he does not bring them home to Liz because she is pregnant and studying for the teaching credentials.

At the end of her 9 months labour begins and it’s time to go to a hospital. She can’t get a hold of Joseph and she has to deliver on her own. The doctors and nurses on staff help her come through the labour as best they can.

Liz does get her teaching degree which allows her to teach in almost every state.

Liz gets a job teaching at a school and Liz and Joe leave the boys home with their housekeeper Etta for her to care for. They have lots of love and affection given to them and received. As life goes on in Philadelphia, Mississippi the home farm in Chatham and the golf course in Chatham are making money very well. Everything is being managed by family members so that Elenore, Elizabeth’s mother, can fly down to visit Liz and Joe and the grandchildren any time she wants to and stay as long as she likes.

There is a tragic death you will learn about and it is very hard to go on with life afterwards. We find out the closeness and kindness and the outreach of the common man and woman and the strength you can find in family and new friends.

I cannot give you a lot more than what I have already told you about book 2 because forward notes don’t do it justice. It must be read completely and in order. The Common Threads Trilogy goes as Book 1 Common Threads, Book 2 Common Threads II, and Book 3 which you are now looking at and this is the final installment Common Threads III.

I hope that you will enjoy reading all 3 books together and as the author of these 3 books, I thank you for supporting me and buying my books in whatever format you like and I really hope that my story has been entertaining as that as how it was meant to be. I thank you very much. This is L.A. Champagne. Thank you.

BOOK 3 - COMMON THREADS III

Well, by now, if you are reading this book, I really hope you have read the first two Common Threads books. It will enrich the reading of this one. Keep in mind this book is the end of the 3 book Trilogy. This book covers from the mid 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s. Be aware that I don’t type with glass gloves. I tried all the way through the books to always Keep It Real. There were things that happened in these latter decades, just as in the beginning, that were horrible, despicable acts of violence. Most often the pitiful cause is race against race with religion thrown in occasionally. I make no excuses or apologies for history or the present or even the future. I’m a person of open mind and thoughts, and I love ALL men equally, regardless of any way they were born!

I hope you have read all 3 books and have enjoyed reading my entire story from start to end.

L.A. Champagne. Thank you

Chapter 1

Stormy Weather

L IZ’S BOYS TURNED FOUR THEN five and then came their sixth birthday. That was the day Liz knew she would have to let go of them in September and they had to go off to school. Three years after Joe Allen was murdered the boys were six years old and it was time for them to go off into the world. They were both ready for grade one. There was only one problem with Liz’s plan to send them. James was enrolled at the school she worked at. He would have his mom for a teacher during his first year. As was told to Liz several years earlier, John could not enrol in her school because he was black.

There was another problem. There was no black teacher to teach school to the black children at the time. John wanted to go to school so badly; he was ready to start. When there was no teacher for the black children, they all stayed home and went without an education. This upset Liz very much. It was a tragedy these children had to suffer scholastically. John would not be in grade one the same time as his brother unless a black teacher could be found by September of that year. Liz didn’t want John to suffer but being a teacher, she would give him his education at home. This was fine but, in the school, board’s eyes whenever they found a teacher for the black children, it didn’t matter how old John was, he had to start with grade one no matter how smart or educated he was; learning from his mother. He had no ‘formal board approved schooling’. Liz would fight when the time came to get him placed in the appropriate grade for his intellect regardless of age.

September 1953, it was fact in Philadelphia, Mississippi. There would be no teacher to teach the black children of the area. John had the thirst for knowledge just the same way Liz had. James would not be a good student. He didn’t care for school. John was so jealous of his brother. He wanted more than anything to go to school and couldn’t. Liz was very bothered by James’ dislike for learning and tried to get him to keep up with the class.

Right from day one James would not like school and it would get worse every year. Liz was disappointed. The harder she tried to get James to pay attention in school the more frustrated he became. Liz wouldn’t get mad at him but she wanted him to be a good student.

James didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning, or eat. He just didn’t want to go to school. He would complain every day, Why do I have to go to school? Why doesn’t John have to go?

Liz would try to explain that he couldn’t go to James’ and her school. He was supposed to go to a different one. But there was no teacher. Liz explained that she was John’s teacher too, just at home and not in a proper school. James was jealous about John staying home and John was jealous James was allowed to go to a real school. Sibling rivalry started early in their house.

Etta tried to keep John interested in things while he was at home but he was bored. When Liz checked his work each day everything was right. He understood what she was teaching and she was proud of him.

Liz was a little concerned one day when she saw James at recess playing with boys a few years older than himself. She wasn’t concerned with an age difference; she was concerned because they were a rougher bunch of boys. She wanted him to play with children his own age but he showed no interest in playing with his classmates.

These boys would tease him just because his mother was his teacher. This would make him angry. They pushed him around and when Liz stopped them one day James got very angry with his mother. To be proper James had to call her Mrs. Allen. The boys had pushed him down to the ground teasing him, and she went to him and helped him to his feet. She asked if he was hurt and what the older boys were doing to her son.

James yelled at his mother, Mrs. Allen, why don’t you mind your own Goddamn business!! Liz was horrified by what she heard. She grabbed James by the shoulder of his shirt and ushered him into the building. They went into Vincent’s office and she sat him down. Vincent took her place on yard duty. She yelled at him for one of the first times in her life. She said, Now, you tell me what is going on. Why are you playing with the older boys? Who taught you that bad word?

He looked at the floor and said, I dunno.

She asked again, What’s wrong James? Why have you been so bad the last couple of days? She calmed down and she squatted down in front of him and said, Honey, what is wrong? Why are you so unhappy? Why don’t you want to play with your classmates?

James kicked his foot back and forth and said, I dunno. Liz was worried. She hugged him. He broke free and pushed her away saying, Go away Mrs. Allen!

Liz was trying her hardest not to cry but she couldn’t help it. A few tears fell down her cheeks. She wanted Joe. As she cried, she said, Do you miss daddy? I know John and I do. Maybe tonight, we can talk about daddy after supper and your TV shows. How would that be?

James looked up at her and said, No, he’s just a no-good Nigger like John. He jumped off the chair and opened the office door and ran outside. Liz was shocked. She fell onto her ass after losing her balance. She could not believe her son said those words. She sat on the floor and she wept.

Mrs. Emms walked by the office and heard Liz. She ran into the principal’s office and found Liz on the floor. She thought Liz had fallen and hurt herself. Her ankle perhaps. Liz let Mrs. Emms help her up. Liz’s eyes were as big as saucers. Mrs. Emms kept calling Liz’s name, trying to get her to focus. Liz looked at her friend and sat down on the chair James just got out of. Liz said, He just called his father and his brother no good Niggers! Oh my God, he just called his father and brother no good Niggers! Liz wept harder now. How would she handle this? What would she do to help?

Mrs. Emms asked, Liz what are you talking about? Who said that to you?

Liz stared at her and said, My six-year-old son called his father and his brother no good Niggers! What do I do? I can’t believe my ears!

Just then the end of recess bell rang. Liz looked at her colleague and asked, You won’t say anything about this to the others, will you? Her friend swore she wouldn’t.

After three-thirty Liz watched as all the children got on their buses or walked home with older siblings or parents. James was still sitting at his desk at his mother’s request. His arms were crossed and he was pouting still. She walked to him and said, James, get your reader and your lunch box and let’s go home. Miss Etta and your brother will be waiting to see us. He got out of his seat without a word, took his reader and went to the cloak room to get his Roy Rogers lunch box. Liz left the room first with James following her and neither said a word.

As they drove into the driveway James was in a hurry so he got out of the car and stomped in the house. He threw his lunch box on the kitchen counter, marched upstairs, stomping his feet all the way with his McGuffey Reader and slammed his bedroom door.

When Liz got through the door Etta said, Lawdy Mrs. Liz, what’s his problem?

Liz started to tear up. John ran to her and said, Mommy, I love you. Can I read tonight. I was practicing today, can I show you?

Liz looked at him and said, Yes sweetie you can show me how you can read after supper. I love you too baby. Did you and Miss Etta have a good day?

John nodded his head and asked, Can I go see James? Why is he mad mommy?

Liz thought for a second and said, Honey, I don’t know why James is feeling the way he is. Maybe you can go and talk to him. He might tell you. Go ahead. She kissed her son and patted him on his bum and sent him upstairs. Maybe he could get through to him.

Etta asked, You want to talk Mrs. Liz?

Liz asked if there was tea on the stove and Etta already had a cup in her hand ready for her. Liz smiled and said, Oh Miss Etta, you do look after us so well. What would we do without you? Liz put her arm around Etta’s shoulder and gave her an affectionate squeeze. Liz went into the dining room and sat down with Etta who had a cup of tea for herself too.

Liz started, James is a very angry little boy. He’s hanging around with some grade four boys. He used the word damn today and that’s not all. Etta, he called his father and his brother no good Niggers!

Etta couldn’t believe her ears. She said, Our sweet little boy said that?

Just then they heard John scream from upstairs. James had pushed him out of his room and slammed the door on John’s fingers. John went downstairs and cried to Liz. She kissed his fingers and said, You go see Miss Etta. She’ll run cold water on them and they’ll feel better.

Liz ran up the stairs and grabbed James and yelled, Why did you slam the door on your brother’s fingers? What’s wrong with you James? Please tell mommy what’s wrong.

James sat on his bed and didn’t say anything for a minute. Liz pushed for an answer. He said I don’t want a brother. You love him more than me. You loved daddy and he’s dead. Why don’t you love me?

Liz ran to his bed and picked him up and put him on her lap, hugging him. She said, James why do you think I don’t love you?

James was bawling his eyes out and said, Those boys told me you love no good Niggers but not me!

Liz was angry and shocked. She hugged James a little harder; she kissed him and said Honey, I love you so much. Remember, you’re the big brother around here. John loves and needs you too. Are you mad at him or me?

James said, I guess not. Do you love him more?

Liz was sniffling, Honey, I love you both the same. I’ll always love you both the same. She thought she’d give James time to process her comments. She kept hugging him and said, Are you hungry? He shook his head and she took him to the kitchen for a cookie and some Nestle Quick chocolate milk. Liz sat James at the kitchen table while Etta was still running cold water over his fingers and said, James, don’t you have something to say to John about his fingers?

James shrugged his shoulders and said, Sorry then he ate his cookie and drank his chocolate milk. Liz looked at Etta. They couldn’t believe he was being cavalier about it. He asked John, Did it hurt?

John was still in tears and said, Yes. Why did you slam the door? James just shrugged his shoulders again and finished his snack. He went into the living room and turned on the television. He started to watch the Roy Rogers Show. John’s fingers were swelling quite badly now. Liz said, Etta, I think his fingers are broken. I’ll take him to get an x-ray. You two go ahead and have supper when it’s ready. We’ll eat when we get back. I don’t know how long we will be. Liz got her purse and said, James, you be good for Miss Etta. I’m taking your brother to the hospital to see if his fingers are broken.

James didn’t even blink or raise his head. He said, You better take him to the Nigger Hospital. Both Etta and Liz looked at each other and were still shocked by his behaviour. Liz walked in the living room, turned off the TV and grabbed James by the arm. She pulled him up to his feet and dragged him up to his room.

Liz couldn’t help it. She spanked his bottom and said, Don’t you ever use that word again. I’ll talk to you when we get home and you better change your behaviour young man!

She closed James’ door and went downstairs. She said to Etta, We’ll be back as soon as we can. Let him come down to eat supper but then he goes back to his bedroom, no television. Etta nodded to her then Liz and John left. Liz drove to the hospital in tears. John started to breathe hard. He said in laboured breath, Mommy, I hurt up here he said as he was pointing to his chest.

All of a sudden Liz realized this was her son’s first symptom of Sickle Cell Disease. James’s cruel, vindictive behaviour that afternoon triggered John to have an attack of severe pain in his chest.

When James slammed John’s fingers in the door, he likely broke some bones. John was shocked his brother would do this on purpose. His adrenaline pumped quickly and the sickle shaped blood cells could not flow easily through the arteries and through the veins to his heart. This caused him to have the chest pain and he couldn’t breathe. He tried not to panic but he was scared too. He didn’t know what was happening and it led to a panic attack. Liz was terrified.

She stepped on the gas and got to the hospital quickly. As she pulled in to the hospital parking lot Robert was getting out of his car. He was finished in the office for the day and he was coming to do rounds of his patients in the hospital. As he saw Liz, he noticed a scared look. He saw that John was holding his chest. He was sure it was chest pain. He thought to himself, the first symptom! He ran and picked up John and quickly got him into the emergency department yelling orders, Nurse, this boy is having chest pain and can’t breathe right, get some oxygen on him. Just then he looked at John’s left hand whose fingers were swelling quite large. He looked at Liz as he placed an oxygen mask on John and asked Liz, What the hell happened? His fingers look broken.

Liz was crying as she watched her son struggle for a breath while holding his chest with his good hand. She said, Oh Robert. You’re not going to believe the day we’ve had. James slammed John’s fingers in the bedroom door … on purpose. Robert couldn’t believe what he heard. She continued, I’ll tell you more after. Please help John.

John was calming down but the pain in his chest and fingers was bad. He was gently crying now. Robert smiled at him and said, Let’s get an x-ray and see those fingers and I’ll give you something to take the pain away okay? Robert said to the nurse who was beside him now, "Please give him five milligrams of codeine and take him to x-ray for his left hand. I also want a chest x—ray. John was okay with that but asked if his mom could come too. Robert thought it would keep him calm so he told John that his mom could go with him.

After the films were developed Robert could see that the four fingers of John’s left hand were badly broken but the thumb was fine. John was left-handed so this was going to be awkward for him. He wouldn’t be able to hold a pencil for a while.

John was upset at his brother’s actions and didn’t understand why James did this to him. He looked at his mom and had tears in his eyes. He had a hard time talking through his oxygen mask but Liz heard him when he asked, Mommy, what did I do to James? Why doesn’t he like me anymore? He was breathing much better now and Liz was glad to hear him talk.

She said, We’ll talk a little later sweetie. We have to see Dr. Robert again. There was nothing visibly wrong in the chest to speak of which was good, but the fingers were smashed quite badly.

Robert said, Well young man how is that feeling now? John was getting a little sleepy with the medication and he smiled at Robert. He knew that John was feeling a little better. Robert said to both of them, I’d like John to stay here tonight just so we can monitor him. Since it was his first episode and he’s so young I want to have the nurses observe him closely in case he needs oxygen.

John had a scared look on his face and asked, Do I have to Dr. Robert?

Robert said, I’m afraid so John. But I’ll tell the nurses to give you two dishes of ice-cream for dessert. How’s that? John grinned back at him. He’d be alright. Robert turned to Liz and said, I think I’ll pop over to your house for a bit tonight if that’s okay with you mom?

Liz had a tear in her eye and said, I’d really appreciate it if you could. Thanks.

Robert nodded and continued, Now John, I have to do something with those fingers. I have to put what’s called a splint on each finger. This is so your fingers can’t move while they’re healing and it keeps them straight. You don’t want crooked fingers, right? John nodded in fascination with Dr. Robert’s explanation. With Liz looking on and listening too Robert continued "Next, I’ll have to put a plaster cast on your hand and it will go up past your wrist. It will also cover part of your splints too. That means I have to get all mucky with plaster and water and you do too. A cast is something that we put on you when we don’t want a part of you to move. We don’t want your wrist to move. Believe it or not John, moving your wrist can cause a problem and maybe your fingers might not heal properly.

You see we want your fingers to heal properly. So, in order to do that you can’t move them or your wrist for over a month. We have to make sure while they are healing, they heal straight not bent. So, John, do you understand? Are you ready to start with the splints first?"

John smiled at Robert and said through his oxygen mask that covered most of his little face

Okay. Will James be able to see the splints and cast?

Liz said, He’ll see it all when you get home honey.

Robert looked at Liz and said, I think we can take it from here. Mom, why don’t you go home and tend to things there. John’s a big boy, he’ll be okay here. He has all kinds of beautiful nurses that will look after him.

Liz gave a weak smile and said, Is that okay with you John? That I go home?

John nodded his head and said, I’ll be okay mommy. When will I see you?

Robert spoke up and said, Mommy can come here and see you before she goes to school tomorrow. How’s that?

John nodded his head again, lifted his oxygen mask and puckered up for a big kiss for his mom. Liz kissed him and said to Robert, So we’ll see you later?

Robert nodded and Liz left to go home while a nurse came in with a tray full of medical supplies to splint each tiny finger. Driving back Liz wondered what she was going to say to her other son. Should she just leave things until she was calmer. Or try to get it in the open right away? What was wrong? Why was James hanging around with boys three years older than himself? She needed answers. Maybe with John out of the house James would talk a little more openly to her. She just prayed that he hadn’t called Etta a Nigger and she hoped he would not call Robert one either.

As Liz was stopped at a red light in town she started to cry again. She yelled, Joseph! How could you leave me? I need you! As quickly as she said it, she apologized to him too.

When she pulled into the driveway, she wiped her face and went into the house. Etta was washing the dishes and James was back in his room. Liz asked Etta, How did supper go? Was he behaved?

Etta said, Yes Mrs. Liz, he was jus’ fine. He was polite and acted like they’s nothin’ wrong. He ate well an’ went to his room when he’s finished. Didn’t ask for TV or nothin’. You want to eat now?

Liz said, No thanks Etta I can’t. I’m not really hungry. Robert’s coming over later. I’m going up to talk to James. Liz climbed the stairs slowly. Just then the doorbell rang. She turned and answered the door. It was George Benson. Liz asked if he’d eaten and he had.

He said, Lizzy, what is it? Something is wrong. She hugged him and started to cry on his shoulder. As he held her, he said, What is it love? What’s wrong?

As he guided her into the living room to sit down, she started. George, I can’t believe what happened today. James was hanging around some older boys and he called his brother and his father, No good Niggers."

George was as shocked as Liz was. He said, Whatever possessed him to say that?

Liz said, I believe it’s the older boys that taught him to say it and he better watch his mouth or I’ll wash it out with soap. You can count on that!

George smiled at Liz and saw she had stopped crying. He asked if she wanted him to have a chat with him. She said, That’s not even the worse part George. When John went up to James’ room to see him after school, he pushed John out the door and slammed the door on John’s fingers. He broke all four fingers on his left hand but missed the thumb. He’s at the hospital overnight … .

George interrupted and said, For four broken fingers?

Liz said, No. On our way to the hospital he couldn’t breathe right. He had bad chest pains. George, it was his first symptom of the Sickle Cell Disease. Robert is keeping him overnight for observation. I don’t know what to do.

George said, I’ll try and talk to him if you like.

She said, I’m not sure what to do. Robert is stopping by too. He thought maybe he could talk to him too. I’m not sure about anything right now.

Just then James called down from upstairs, Is that Uncle George?

Liz and George looked at each other and Liz said, Yes James. You can come down and say hi.

James came downstairs and hopped up on George’s lap. He said, Hi Uncle George. Who do you love better? Me or John?

They were both shocked by the question. George said, I love you both the same. James what happened at school today?

James shrugged his shoulders and said, We read, we had show-and-tell, we ate our lunches, mommy made us do a spelling test and we had recesses.

George asked, What happened after school when you got home?

James said, I had a Oreo Cookie and chocolate milk. Then John hurt his fingers, then he went to the Nigger hospital.

George gave a shocked look to James and asked, Where did you learn that word?

James said, From Billy at school. He’s my friend.

George said, You know that’s a bad word that you shouldn’t be saying to anyone. Why did you say it to your mother? You know you really hurt her feelings by calling your father and brother that.

James started to pout a bit and said, "Billy said I could say it ’cause it’s true. I’m not lying.

He said my daddy was a no-good Nigger so that makes John one too, right?"

George continued, James you mustn’t say that word again, ever. It doesn’t matter who you talk to, you’ll get your mouth washed out with soap if you do. Your mom is really upset about this. Now, are you going say it again? James started tearing up. Liz was glad to see this. She thought that it was a good sign … conscience!

James got off George’s lap and said, Mommy, I’m sorry. She hugged him and kissed his forehead.

He asked, Can I watch TV now?

Liz said, No, I’m sorry but you’re still being punished for today. If you’re good tomorrow you can watch when you get home from school. He pouted some more and stomped to his room again.

Liz and George just sat and stared. George said, Quite the attitude. So, you’re pretty sure it was the older boys?

Liz nodded and said, I think so. I’ve heard the word on the playground a couple times; usually older kids. The doorbell rang. Etta answered it this time. It was Robert. He came in and Etta asked if he’d eaten his supper. He hadn’t so she took him by the hand and led him into the dining room and he sat at the table. Etta went to the kitchen to get a plate of supper for him.

George came in to the dining room and said hello to Robert. They chatted a little while Robert ate and when it came to dessert, George, Robert, Etta and Liz all had lemon meringue pie and coffee while discussing the boys. Robert assured Liz that John was fine when he left the hospital and that they had had a little bit of fun together putting the splints and cast on. He told her that he had John giggling. He asked Liz if there was anything he could do to help with James. She told him George and her had talked to him and she’d see what tomorrow brings. Both men got up after some discussion and they told Liz they’d get going. They each gave her a kiss on the cheek and said if she needed them to call. Anytime!

Liz took some papers she needed to mark out of her case. They were the spelling tests her class had that afternoon. She flipped through them until she found James’. Out of fifteen words, he got three correct. She was very upset about this. She took his paper and went up to his room. She knocked on his door. James playfully said, Who is it?

Liz tried not to smile but she did. She said, It’s your teacher. James opened the door and he invited her in. She sat on his bed and said, I’d like to talk to you about something. Can we talk while you have your bath?

He nodded his head and started to undress. She went into the bathroom and started his bath. After a minute he came into the bathroom and very quickly got in the tub. He didn’t want his mom to see his naked body. Liz poured in some Lux Flaked Soap. Lux Soap was prominent in the Allen house as it was in many American homes of the 1950’s. Lux had been around since the end of the 1800’s. It was used as bubble bath, on dishes and then it was Sunlight Laundry Detergent and there was also the Lux Radio Theatre who sponsored Etta’s soap opera.

The boys loved the Lux bubbles in their bath. Lots of them. The bubbles were a great way to get them in the tub. They would sometimes still bath together. They would blow bubbles all over each other. Usually Liz or Etta would end up wearing as many bubbles as the walls were. The boys always laughed. Liz and Etta didn’t mind.

When Liz turned the water off, she started, James how do you spell milk?

He said, m-i-l-k.

She said, That’s right. How do you spell book?

He smiled at his mom and said, b-o-o-k.

She said, That’s right. How do you spell green?

He looked at her again with a smile and said, g-r-e-e-n.

Liz went through the other nine words he spelled wrong on his test and he spelled them all correctly. She asked, Why did you spell them wrong on your test?

He shrugged his shoulders and said, Why didn’t John come home with you?

Liz said, "Well, when we drove to the hospital, he was having a really hard time breathing.

So, Dr. Robert wanted him to stay there tonight. How do you feel about that?"

James just shrugged his shoulders again. After his mom helped scrub him, he asked, Can I get out now mom?

She got his big towel and he grabbed it from her and tried to wrap up in it. She wanted to help dry him off but he ran past her into his bedroom and threw himself on his bed crying. She took the towel and started to dry him. She hadn’t noticed when he got into the tub but he had some bruising around his bum. She was horrified. She asked, James, what happened? Your bum is bruised. Did someone hurt you there?

He started to get scared and cried for her to leave him alone. He tried to put his pyjamas on quickly so she couldn’t see him. She grabbed his pyjama pants away so she could look at his bum. She asked, Who did this to you James honey? You have to tell me the truth. Honey, it’s not your fault. I won’t be mad at you. Please tell me.

He cried and said, I don’t know his name.

Liz was very upset and said, I’m going to call Dr. Robert to come and see you. This has to be looked after. She got up and he finished getting his pyjamas on and laid on his bed crying. He was scared because the boy threatened him if he told.

Liz went to the phone in her bedroom and called Robert. He had just arrived home. She said, Robert, I need you back here. James has been molested. Robert said, I’ll be right there.

When he went in the house Liz was in the kitchen sitting with Etta. He came in and she started over telling them both what was happening and they both listened in disgust.

Robert went to James’ room and asked him to take his pyjama pants down. He didn’t want to. After a moment of persuasion, he pulled them down so Robert could see. He was crying harder now. Robert saw the bruising Liz told him about. He told Liz, It doesn’t look like he’s been penetrated but someone definitely tried to but hasn’t succeeded, YET!

Liz, do you know these older boys he was with? Liz told him, Believe me, I’ll know them tomorrow. Oh, my baby. Robert, he’s six years old. Who would do this to a little boy?" She started to weep.

Robert said to James, James I want you to tell mommy everything that happened when you got these bruises.

James was crying harder. He was visibly shaken and scared. He was afraid to tell the truth but through his sobs he tried to tell her and Dr. Robert what happened. I was walking on the playground yesterday at lunch time. The grade four boy, Billy, came to me and asked if my dad was a dead Nigger. I asked him what that was and he said, black you dummy. James had to stop so he could blow his nose and Liz picked him up and put him on her knee. He continued, He laughed at me and I just nodded my head yes. Mommy, they are black, so I just nodded my head. It wasn’t a lie. Billy said, do I want to meet his big brother. I said no but he took my hand and said, we’ll be back at school before the bell goes. No one will know we left, c’mon. His house is near the school yard and we went there. I went inside. His parents weren’t home, just his big brother was in his bedroom naked." He was sobbing a little harder now and she couldn’t calm him down.

Liz said, "Ok honey, you calm down and finish telling us when you’re ready. She held him and sort of rocked him back and forth in her arms. It took about five minutes and then he was ready to continue.

James started again, His brother was holding his penis and shaking it. They told me to pull my pants down and I would feel good. I didn’t do it but Billy put his hand over my mouth when I tried to scream. His brother pulled my pants down and tried to push his penis in my bum. It hurt so bad. Mommy, I tried to get away but they held me. He stopped to blow his nose again. They waited for him to be ready to continue.

Liz said, So you don’t know what Billy’s brother’s name is sweetie?

He shook his head no and said, When he kept pushing at my bum it hurt so much but I couldn’t scream. The phone rang and they both let me go. I went to run out of the house but Billy’s brother caught me. He said if I tell anyone he would kill you mommy. I was so scared. I didn’t want you to be dead like daddy.

Now she had an answer to his behaviour. She couldn’t believe that anyone would sexually molest a little six-year-old boy. She hugged him hard. He hugged her back. He said, Mommy, you’re squishing me.

Through her own tears she loosened her grip and said, I’m sorry baby. I’m so sorry.

Robert was sickened by it too and said, Liz, are you going tell your mom about this? I don’t want to say anything to her if you don’t want me to. She looked at him and shrugged her shoulders in tears. She needed time to process it all first before she could answer him. Etta had been listening to his story. She was quietly sobbing in shock too.

As Liz kissed her son and wept, she laid him back in his bed and tucked him in. Giving him kisses and a Kleenex for his tears she said, Get some sleep James. It’ll be okay and it’s not your fault … love you honey. Night night! He smiled at her as best he could and said goodnight to her, Miss Etta and Dr. Robert.

After the three of them went into the kitchen Robert turned to Liz and asked, Are you going to the sheriff with this?

Liz had a dilemma. The sheriff was still in office that she was sure helped kill Joe. She had to think about it. Her immediate thought was killing the boy who did this but being in jail wouldn’t help her son. She said, I guess I’ll start with my principal, Vince. I’m not sure about the sheriff. I trust him about as far as I can throw him but it really has to be reported to stop these boys from doing it to anyone else. Oh Robert, how can anyone … . She couldn’t continue. She had to wipe her tears. Suddenly she jumped up and ran to the bathroom. She was so disgusted she started throwing up.

Etta went to the bathroom to see if Liz was okay. When she got there Liz was flushing the toilet and running water to rinse her mouth. Both ladies had tears flowing down their faces. They embraced and cried together. After a few moments Robert called up, Is everyone alright up there?

Liz and Etta came back down to the kitchen. Robert asked, Liz do you want me to give you something to sleep tonight?

She said, I don’t think so but thanks.

Robert continued, Well, that does it. I’m staying here tonight. You don’t have to go through this alone, you, James or Etta. I’ll be right on your couch if you need me.

Liz looked at him with a true fondness and respect and said, Robert, you really are one in a million. Thanks so much for everything you do for mom and for me. I know why she loves you so much. Liz wiped her tears and said, You can sleep in John’s bed Robert. He’s not here.

Robert said, Okay, that sounds fine. What are we going to do about Eleanor?

She looked at him and said, "I really do have to tell my mom. I feel like such a baby.

Running to my mommy with my troubles. She paused then said, There’s no time like the present."

She walked over to the phone and called Chatham. She told her mother about James’ behaviour, hurting John, the sickle cell symptoms and John being in the hospital, then … . she told her mother about the sexual assault.

El was furious and raised her voice, "How could someone do such a thing to a little boy?

My sweet grandson. She calmed a bit and said, Honey, I’m coming down there tomorrow. Liz tried to tell her she’d be okay but her mom insisted. Liz asked if she’d rent a car or wanted to be picked up in Jackson. El said, I’ll rent. Is Robert there?"

Liz handed him the phone and he said Hi love. Don’t worry, I’m staying tonight and I’ll help our girl with things tomorrow. After a few more words between the three of them they said goodbye and Liz hung up the phone.

Liz said to Robert, I’d like you to come to the sheriff’s office in the morning but I also want to visit John in the hospital. I don’t want him to know about it. Robert can we bring him home tomorrow?

Robert touched her cheek in a fatherly manner and said, I’m sure you can. Etta will be here to look after him. But you do realize James will tell him about it. I want you to keep James home tomorrow. Is there any chance you can take the day off tomorrow too?

She said, I probably could if I call Vince now. Do you think I should?

Robert said, I have the feeling the sheriff may take a while to investigate. You need to concentrate on the boys right now. I think you should call him and book off. What do you think? You won’t be any good to your class in this state.

She smiled and said, You’re right. She picked up the phone and called her principal. She relayed the story to him and he was mortified. She asked him to keep it silent in school. The teachers and students couldn’t be told yet. There would likely be an investigation starting right away.

Vince asked if there was anything he could do and Liz requested the next day off. He told her not to worry about her class, he’d come in the morning to her place and pick up her lesson plan for the day and he would take her place if he couldn’t find a substitute.

Liz was grateful. She thanked him and reiterated that no one should be told, not even his wife. He agreed and kept it to himself. He called a couple of substitute teachers and found one to take over. He was glad because he likely would need to keep his time free if there was an investigation the next day.

He called Liz back and said, "Hi Liz, it’s me again. I have a sub for you tomorrow I just told her you were sick. You let me know if you need anything and I’ll