The Veteran Of Creative Suffering

Chapter 2: June 15....

CORETTA

Finally home, Coretta stripped down to her pantyhose and for the first time that day, had nothigng to do. She started working on herself, rubbing out all the anxieties and fristrations of her day.Coretta frantically searched for her bag. It contained everything she cared about:her books, notes, pencils, glasses, candy, picture of her father........After 10 minutes of searching it finally turned up...under Lorreen's wet towel! She would pay for this, but not was not the time. Coretta snuck into the kitchen and grabbed whatever she could find before scurriying out the back door. It was summer and that meant every Sunday night momma was at revival and left Lorreen in charge. If she caught Coretta she would spend the rest of their lives holding it over her head. She ran down the hidden path in the woods behind her house.It usually took around 45 minutes to reach her favorite spot, but today it only took 20. Coretta was as eager as ever to get there. Over the past week, she had been sneaking certain necessities out there, such as a sleeping bag, water, some blankets, books. All preparing for tonight: her first night under the stars. When Coretta finally arrived, freedom washed over her like rain.

    For the next few hours she layed about and read, watched the sunset and ate a few snacks. It was nearing midnight, and Coretta was fast asleep. That is, until shards of amber glass came raining down onto her face. She screamed, but instantly regreted it. Three high school aged boys approached, drunk and easy two times bigger than her. Coretta knew she coudln't . Hot blood ran down her face,she was gagging on it and the pain. Pain was all she could feel, like knoives stabbing her repeatedly in the face. She was so dizzy she could barely hold her head up, but time was running out. They were getting closer. She dragged her body over into a bush, praying to God that she could stay hidden. 

CASH

" I SAW YOU TALKIN TO A NIGGER GIRL!! WHY ARE YOU LYIN TO ME?! I AM YOUR DADDY FOR CHRISTS SAKE AND YOU WILL LISTEN TO AND RESPECT MY WISHES!! IF YOU EVER ASSOCIATE WITH A NIGGER AGAIN I WILL PERSONALLY REIGN FIRE DOWN UPON YOUR ASS! AM I UNDERSTOOD?" "Yes, Dad." Cash's dad, Reverand Daniels, had a mean streak a mile wide, and often showed his predjuice towards african americans around the house. However, to the public, he was a God-fearing man who's soul purpose in life was to love the Lord and all his children. Cash had been turned hard by his daddy, and it was very apparent to his mother. Cash's mother loved all God's people, and had no doubts that african americans were indeed equal to the white man. For fear of retaliation, she kept her opinion to herself. Something else about rev. Daniels is that he's an alcoholic. A trait he eventually passed onto his son. 

     After the argument he had with his father, Cash fleed the house. He grabbed his stash of beer from under the dead gardenis bush, then went to pickup Jimmy and Don. Don lived about 2 blocks down, and Jimmy lived a block down from Don. 

   Cash pedaled his bike harder than ever before. He couldnt get away fast enoug. Through thw blur of tears he could see the silhouette of Don's house. He only lived a couple blocks down, but it made all the difference. Cash wiped the tears from his eyes and tried to present his usual happy image. Don's neighborhood was more upscale than his, and he only got to ride thorugh because his daddy was a respected preacher.

Don came zooming down the driveway as if he had been watching for Cash to pull up. Granted it was 

     Cash decided they should go to their secret spot. A few years back, in a drunken haze, Cash stumbled upon this perfect clearing in the woods. About 20 minutes out on bike, the trio spent many nights there. In a little patch between some bushes there was a perfect spot for make outs, but don was the only one to ever use it. They called this place "". 

     Don was already shitfaced attempting to throw the football to Jimmy. Jimmy, being shitfaced too, attempted to catch it. Both failed. He usually only gor a light buzz and was satisfied, but tonight was particularly terrible. Lately, he used alcohol to solve a lot of problems. Maybe he had more in common with his father after all.....At the thought of his dad all his anger came back to him. Cash swigged a big swig and threw the bottle as far as he could. His anger started to dissipate, then came the scream.

" MAn, did you hear that?!" Dan looked like he was frozen, before he turned and ran in the opposite direction. But nobody noticed him. Everyone was too busy running to the clearing. Everything suggested someone had just been there. Suddenly, a small whimper came from the bushes. Cash lifted back a branch to see a small, but intensely beautiful negro girl, using both hands to cover part of her face. "well lok at what we have here. A nigger girl. Yo daddy 'ol be happy to hear this." Jimmy howled. That's what scared cash the most.