Shadows of St. Louis by DuBois Leslie

Author:DuBois, Leslie [DuBois, Leslie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Little Prince Publishing
Published: 2012-02-17T16:00:00+00:00

***

Henry waited outside the Goodwin's Confectionary for Emma Lynn to leave for the weekly shopping trip. Every Friday afternoon, she was relieved of her duties in the shop in order to purchase groceries for the family. This would be Henry's only opportunity to have a private conference with her parents.

He watched as she left the store and walked down the street. Part of him wanted to chase after her and steal a kiss. But he knew what he was about to do was too important.

"I was wondering if I may have a word with you and your husband, Ma'am," Henry asked as he stood at the counter of the confectionary.

"Whatever about?" Mrs. Goodwin asked.

"I'd rather say in front of both of you please. I won't be but a moment of your time." Henry twisted his hat in his hands as he waited for a response from Mrs. Goodwin.

She looked around the shop for a moment. "We seem to be having a slow afternoon. I'll gather George and meet you in the sitting room."

Moments later, Henry sat across from Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin. He was so nervous he found it difficult to breathe. This was proving to be more difficult than he imagined. He felt like all the blood had drained out of his body. He stood and started pacing the living room in order to get his blood flowing again.

"I would like to ... I am here to ... I, um … "

"Henry, relax and spit it out already," Mrs. Goodwin said. She was obviously losing patience.

"Is this about the milk? What could you possibly want about the milk?" Mr. Goodwin asked.

"No, it's not about milk," Henry answered.

"Well then, what is this about?"

Henry took in a deep breath, then blurted, "I would like to ask for Emma Lynn's hand in marriage."

Mrs. Goodwin laughed outright. Mr. Goodwin merely stared ahead blankly.

"She's a Negro," Mrs. Goodwin stated when her laughter subsided.

"Yes, I can see that," Henry answered.

"You can't possibly think you can build a life with her. You obviously haven't thought this through."

"I've barely thought of anything else."

Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin stared at him in a stunned silence.

"I ... I love her. I don't care that she's Negro." When the Goodwins didn't respond he continued. "I want to go to college. I want to be a doctor. There are many schools that now accept Negros as well. I thought we could find one for Emma Lynn."

"You want Emma Lynn to go to college?" George said finally.

"Yes, sir, I do. She's very bright. She reads so much I can barely keep up with her."

"Oh my God. You are the Henry," Mr. Goodwin added. "I never imagined you would be white."

"Sir?"

"Nothing. Never mind." Mr. Goodwin crossed his arms and stared at the floor.

"Oh, Henry. This will never work. Go find yourself a nice white girl and forget this foolishness, all right?" Mrs. Goodwin said.

"I want Emma Lynn," he said staring at his hat.

More silence.

"Is this about sex?" she asked.

"Ma'am?" He looked up sharply.

"She's got you under some lustful spell, doesn't she? Negros are notoriously promiscuous.

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