Afterthoughts

The Reverend just chuckled. "Marsh sometimes gets a bit exercised about strange folks not mixing with each other. Marsh, this is Mr. Ellis and Mr. Kerr. They have this happily misguided notion that I help their vertebrae stay in place, and Mr. Kerr in particular likes to debate fine points of theology. Both of them help the NAACP."

-- Well, I done good with the punch and now I got to not do bad.

"Reverend, gentlemen, I apologize. But there are things going on down here that make me nervous."

"You mean," Ellis replied, "this special election?"

"Really what that's all about."

Kerr looked around until he spotted two Negroes that Marsh knew as very informed politicians. He asked them with his hand to join the group. After they arrived, Kerr spoke to Marsh.

"You are talking about Mexico, and all of us are worried about that. You can't do that on the sly anymore, and if HE tries it will mean trouble for all of us."

"So what about young Clay?"

"Clay is his own man, which means at least for now he is our man."

One of the Negroes spoke. "Clay is better than that, and don't make a mistake with him. He goes back to the good side of the Clay family up in Kentucky. His ancestor freed his slaves."

"He can't win." A token remark by Ellis.

"He doesn't expect to win." The other Negro had an edge on his voice. "He knows about Mexico and hates the idea. He wants a base here to attack Crown when the time comes. He is running to get enough votes this time to get some results right here so people will support him next time. Marsh here knows all that, and that we're goin' to walk streets for him."

Kerr nodded. "You know better than we do. We'll support you with money and other things if you need them. But don't get upset. We're not trying to control Clay, let alone you people down here. We want mostly the same things, and sure enough to stop other things, but we got to talk straight."

The Negro who had verged on anger smiled. "I know that, Kerr; everybody's edgy. Bad things coming along and we got try to stop them. We trust you. Like you say, talk it out and get on with it."

The group dispersed. Once there, then gone.

Marsh thought on that other Clay in Kentucky. He now remembered his father talking about that man: a brave one, willing to cut deep with the knife when challenged by pro-slave toughs.

-- Got to talk with young Barry about all that.

Then Cat was at his side.

"You got a minute?"

-- Well, not really, I want to place that other white. But....

"Sure Lieutenant. I guess it's Cat, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir. I want to get educated about what's really going on here and Mitch says you're the man."

Marsh thought on it and decided to give it a try.

"You look around this morning?"

Cat nodded.

"You see any strange white men?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

Cat thought it was kind of a stupid question, but he figured he understood what Marsh was after.

Table of Contents

• Introduction

1. Maggie and Mr. Hank
2. The Reverend
3. Squalls Along the Flight Line
4. Flying Home to Church
5. A Visit with The Judge
6. Communion
7. Afterthoughts
8. Monday Morning With The Admiral
9. Into the Dining Room
10. On Toward Walking the Streets
11. Glimpses of An Election
12. The Dream and The Reality of Violence
13. The Admiral Loses More Than a Few Good Men
14. Down That Lonesome Road

• Cast of Characters
• Credits and Acknowledgements