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Ninety Days Inside The Empire: A Novel by William Appleman Williams

The Reverend

Page 13

The Reverend relaxed. He'd escaped his mistake.

"Well, I used to drive out here in an old jiggler and even sometimes Lette and I would have a picnic 'bout here where we talking. But late one afternoon when I came out alone I suddenly had two policecars boxin' me into the ditch. They told me to get out and stretch so I got out and stretched."

"Guns?"

"One each side my head. Then Sergeant Klan read me his law. With his thumb on the hammer."

"Listen, you fake Nigger doctor and you fake Nigger preacher. You got one hear. You ever come here to screw with your whore, or even think about buildin' so much as a shack out here, I tell you what's goin' to happen. We'll stop you just like this then we'll tell you to get back in your shit car and we'll shoot you about fifteen times for resisting lawful arrest."

Mr. Hank shivered. He knew all about Mr. Klan cops.

"Was you scared, Mr. Reverend?"

It came out before he thought. "You stupid, Mr. Hank?"

Maggie laughed, and then Mr. Hank laughed.

"Well, I'd still like to hear about the fancy car."

"I didn't come out here for more 'an a month. Then The Judge came by after workin' hours for a drink in the office.

"'Heard you had a little company out there on your land. Just came by to tell you one thing and give you some advice. They got word to leave you alone. Well, mostly alone. Can't promise they won't follow you, even stop you, but no more guns. Some people in Houston know what the Lonnie Smith Case means.

"'But if you are thinking about moving up for yourself and as an example to your people then you got to get yourself a moving-up car and you drive it every place. If you going to move up, then you make it clear you moving up and it'll be harder for them to mess with you. Otherwise you are going to end up down deep.'"

"That why you bought the car?"

"You right."

"Who this man The Judge hit on?"

"Well, I ain't sure he hit. Never asked him that way. But he sure did lean."

"Who?"

"Don't know, Mr. Hank; leastwise not sure. Not sure I care. Just want him to lean again."

"How?"

"I'm not sure, Mr. Hank, but you and Maggie get all your friends together and come to church tomorrow and we'll give it some thought."

Maggie looked at Mr. Hank. "You ready?"

He turned to the Gulf, then swung around.

"I'll do it."

They returned to the Imperial, and on the way home Mr. Hank allowed as how he'd like to look at the engine. "Reverend, I think your fuel pump has got terminal hiccups."

"Be my doctor, Mr. Hank."

As Maggie started to get out she put her hand on Griff's arm. "How's Lette?"

He shook his head. "Not now, but she needs your help." She nodded. "Church and afterwards be a good time."