I handed her two new books, and she studied the covers and then sat them beside her. “These look real good. This one here—” She tapped Gunnar’s Daughter. “Surprised Miss Foster has it in her library.”
“Thought you might enjoy something different.”
“Thanks. It was always a treat getting books from your mama’s personal collection. They made ya really ponder afterward.” She rapped on the metal seat and kicked the rocker into motion with her foot again. “This sure is gonna make bedtime a lot easier on both of us.”
I fidgeted with her loans in my lap, slipping off the sweaty gloves, my hands darkening as I rubbed my palm across the book.
Bonnie leaned over, stretched out her arm to pick up a quart mason jar stuffed with sunflower seeds. She poured out a few into her palm and set the jar aside.
Her brow furrowed and she studied the fat brown seeds. “Yessir,” she whispered, “gonna make everything a lot easier for ol’ Bonnie now.”
Something strange, almost dangerous lifted in her eyes as she examined the seeds, turning them over in her hand.
***
Junia trotted past a small group of miners outside the Company store, lifting a hawing caution to the men like she always did when we passed by. A few talked beside their parked trucks, others rushed out of the store as if they were late. The coal miners’ shirts and britches were clean, and I knew they were headed to their first shift of the day.
Fretful, I searched the faces for Gillis and didn’t see him. Besides the books, I was the closest thing to a friend his wife had. I knew he’d keep threatening me until I dropped Guyla Belle’s route and broke off our friendship.
I knocked my knees against Junia, urging her to go faster.
At Doc’s house, Millie opened the door. “Book woman. L?kare. L?kare,” she called over her shoulder, the musical words scattering down the foyer. I handed her two books from my bag, and she studied the covers of A Stone for Danny Fisher and The Hidden Flower, then pulled me inside. “Till dig.” She walked down the hall, wagging a finger in the air and leaving me alone in the foyer. In a minute, she came back with a cloth bag and handed it to me.
I peeked inside and saw two oranges.
“？ta.” She pointed to her mouth and then mine.
“Uh, eat, yes, much obliged, Millie. I’ll save it for later.” I tucked them inside my bag.
“B?cker,” she said, opening one of the books and walking down the hall flicking a page.
“Books,” I said, hoping it was the word.
Doc came to the door. “Honey, I’m glad you’re here. Come on into the parlor. I’d like to talk with you a moment.”
I stared at him, wondering if he had bad news. I’d stopped in a few days ago for word on Mama but no one was home. “Is Mama okay?”
“Yes. Come on in.” He opened the door wider and I stepped into the foyer.
“I examined your mother on Tuesday.” He led me into the parlor. “Would you like coffee or tea, something else?”
“No, sir. How is she?” I sat in the chair, worried.
“She’s fine, but—”
I leaned in toward Doc. “But what? Did they hurt her—？”
“She’s fine, Honey. But I spoke with the governor and he let me know it wasn’t in his best interest to grant her a pardon at this time.”
I groaned. How could I ever go two years without her, and how could she stay there alive for another two years? “They stripped her of motherhood! What about my mama’s best interest?” I snapped.
“You have to realize, child, issues as delicate as miscegenation laws are—Well, now, some issues are political hotbeds and not many elected officials want to confront them. I’m sorry.”