Afterthoughts

"Well, they were strangers, so I asked Mitch. He said most of them were local powers and you'd know which one was the FBI. Then two of them turned up here and you met them with the Reverend. The young kid I can't figure. So that leaves one, and he's the new Personnel Officer at the base. Mitch and I agreed that the Admiral sent him along to spy."

Marsh accepted the demerit with a lifted eyebrow: you are sharp, Mr. Cat. He eased off, and decided he needed to explore what was going on between the Admiral and the politicians and the big business types. Things looked nastier.

"You just set me straight, Cat, so how in particular can I help you?" He beckoned to Maggie and two other Negroes and steered Cat toward them to discuss the facts of life in Texas. He scanned the rooms as they sought a quiet corner.

-- Hell, I'm doing what I set out to stop.

No danger. The house was full of circulating, active conversations. One of the largest involved Negro and white ratings from the base who were hammering away at Mr. Hank and Mitch about what was wrong and what ought to be done on the flight line; in maintenance, and social segregation. Marsh was more curious about the group of women who had gathered around Lette, Susan and a small Negro woman whose animated perkiness transcended her wrinkles and white hair.

He nudged Maggie. "What's all that about?"

"I was headed there when you detoured me. Don't know, but with Abbey Mae it must be woman talk."

And so it was. She had gathered the woman by walking up to Susan and remarking in an aside pitched just right to travel through the din: "I hope you goin' to be just as public after you have your baby. They like to get out and around."

A few, including Lette, nodded or shook their heads in renewed wonder. Abbey Mae was midwife to what seemed like half the Negro population, and made it clear she intended to raise that percentage. Susan was stunned, and felt the blood coming up across her breasts to her neck and face.

"I'm...I'm...How did you know-I didn't tell Cat until just last week?"

"Don't have to tell Abbey Mae, Missy. I've told girls who didn't even know themselves yet."

Susan laughed and reached out and took the woman's hand. "A couple of weeks ago you could have done that to me! And now you've saved me worrying about whether or how or when to tell people. Thank you, Mrs. Mae."

"No Mrs. Mae, Missy. Everybody just calls me Abbey Mae 'cause I mostly forgot my last name myself. Now I'm going to give you..." She looked around. "And these other ladies some free experience." She shifted her position so that she was talking away from the rest of the rooms. "This is private like."

Run-Run had started over toward Susan to give her a hug for her toast, but realized he was not likely to be welcome. He thought of joining Mitch and Mr. Hank, but was not in the mood for airplane talk. Griff caught his indecision and walked over, aware that eyes were watching him.

"Appreciate you comin back to another service, Lieutenant Reis."

Among others, a young Negro couple heard that and tucked themselves in around the two men. The Reverend appeared to ignore them.

"I'm still thinking about your sermon, Sir. I'm not much for formal religion but I liked the service."

Griff had seen him accept the bread and wondered, but let it rest for now.

"No Sirs here. Is it Nathan or is it Run-Run?"

"I think I am being had, Reverend."

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