“I heard what most know: he’s under arrest at the hospital. By the by, you did a brave, kind act, child. And one of the frontier nurses told me in passing just the other day that his eyesight is in question. But the hospital believes they might’ve stopped all the bleeding for now. I’ve seen miracles happen before, and he just might recover. And I heard someone say Mr. Gillis’s family hired a slick city lawyer from Lexington and he might make bail and—”
Recover. Bail. The thoughts stole my breath, and I bid him a good evening.
No sooner had I made it into the woods than I dropped down off Junia and ripped open the envelope, my eyes lighting over the words, studying Mama’s elegant script, the perfect slant and looping letters, a tall elm’s fringed flowers casting shadows across the widely spaced lines of a Big Chief school tablet page.
“It’s from Mama!”
Junia brayed.
I waved it in front of her. “Hush now and I’ll read it to you.”
Junia’s sleepy eyes widened at the mention of Mama, and she wearily lifted her head next to mine as I began to read, my eyes growing wider as I soaked up Mama’s words and the long-awaited news from her.
April 26, 1953
My Dearest Daughter,
I hope this letter finds you fit. I’m pleased to write and tell you I am healthy and doing well, and the prison has restored all my privileges.
I was deeply heartbroken to hear that we lost our dear, sweet Loretta, and was greatly troubled to learn you were alone. Mr. Faust advised me about the hearing your lawyer has scheduled, and I am praying for your emancipation and my early freedom as well—for all of us to be free and together again soon.
The warden has kindly assigned me a job as prison librarian. The library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the week and closes at 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays for the weekend. The library houses a large and varied collection of donated books, and the warden has given me a small budget to purchase new reading material. It’s been truly wonderful to work with the books and patrons again. I stay busy and the days seem to fly by quickly.
Doc informed me Troublesome has started a new outreach program akin to the old Pack Horse Library Project, and he said Miss Foster hired you as a librarian assistant to deliver the reading material. I’m thrilled and so proud of you, my darling daughter. It’s comforting to know the books will bring you as much joy and comfort as they do me.
It’s growing late and I must close for now. Take good care of yourself and Junia.
Write to me soon.
All my love,
Mama
Prison librarian. I reread it all again and once more, then raised the letter and blinked back tears of joy.
“Mama is safe and back with her books.” Junia hovered over the page and closed her eyes and blew out a long, contented sigh like she knew it was so.
Inhaling the spring blossoms of awakened tulip trees, I pushed my mind toward fall, ticking off the days until I could see her again.
Junia suddenly brayed and swung her head toward the trees.
I followed her gaze, my hand sliding toward the rifle. I heard something and couldn’t be sure but wasn’t about to stick around to find out. “Let’s hurry, Junia,” I said anxious to get back to the safety of our holler.
Thirty-Seven
May 24, 195– Pausing the ink pen on the date, I cocked my head and heard Junia’s nervous warnings coming from her stall. Immediately, I bolted upright from the table, sending my parents’ letters flying off the table.
I ran across the room for the .22 and slowly cracked open the door. Pennie slipped in and circled around me.
“Pearl,” I said, surprised, opening the door wider. “It’s really good to see you.” I let out a breath, shoved the gun back behind the door, and stepped onto the porch.