The Boy She Illegally Brought To The Lavender Field (bwwm)

Chapter 6: Who's Gonna Tell Johnny?

Annie sat up that night, book resting against her high knees, and patiently waiting for when her favorite guy would knock on that window.

She toyed with one of the earrings he'd given her as she waited.

The attempt to read while her heart was racing was strenuous. She had to reread the same paragraphs over and over again once she noticed she hadn't been paying attention as her eyes scanned.

She glanced over at the window and saw no one was there.
Her eyes found the book again.

•~~~•

"Now that Johnny's alright, do you think he and Annie might get better acquainted?" Diana asked as she readied for bed.
"Well, he's in no place to do that now. The boy just woke up."
"No, I know, but...I don't want the child to wait too long to get married. I want grandchildren."
"Well...ain't Marshall say he might propose to Jenny at some point? He's been savin' up for a little minute."
"Marshall's been tellin' me how Jenny's been upsetting him recently. They haven't even been hanging out like they used to. I don't know if that's the route he wants but I've been tryin' to lead him in her direction."
"Well he need'a figure it out soon." Sirius stated.
"Marshall's too hellbent on makin' sure Annie's with the right man. He's more worried about her relationships than his own."
"Well we taught him that. His younger sister is prey to everybody. Not just white folks."

"Do you think Johnny can protect her?" Diana wondered as she crawled into bed.
Sirius thought about it.
"See? Ya takin' too long. I want her to be with somebody that if I ask if you think he can protect her, you say 'hell, yea'."
"Well, he's a good man, but...I don't think he could chop a piece of wood. That boy's all skin and bones. I don't see why so many women want him to marry their daughter anyway."
"Cause he's beautiful. They're thinkin' about their grandchildren."
"Then why are you questionin' him so much if you want grandchildren so bad?"
"Because I'm also thinkin' about my daughter. She's a pretty girl and she's sweet. She thinks everybody's her friend. I had to tell her just recently not to be friendly with the mayor's boy." Diana explained.
"The mayor's boy?!" Sirius sat up.
"That's right. He used to try talkin' to her and what not. I told her to leave that man alone and stay far away."
"You did right. That girl would try makin' friends with the devil himself if we ain't put a stop to it." Sirius sighed and laid back down. "That's damn near what she tried."
"And that's why I need her with someone strong. Somebody to protect her. Yea, Johnny's got a cute face but that face ain't stop him from gettin' hurt. Annie's too kind, too curious, and too pretty to be with somebody that can't shield her or throw a punch for her."
"Yea, yea, you right."
"I just want my baby safe."
"And if we can't find nobody like that?" Sirius asked.
"Then...I guess she marries Johnny and we hope for the best." Diana sighed.
"We'll get Marshall to teach him how to fight. It'll be alright."
Diana laughed and kissed her husband's cheek before turning off their lamp and laying down.

~•~

Annie woke up with her book in her lap.

She looked out her window and nothing was there.

The family wondered what was wrong as Annie gloomily trudged into the kitchen.

"Annie?" Diana called.
"Ma'am?" She walked to the counter to help with breakfast.
"You alright, baby girl?"
"Yea, I'm okay."
"Why the frown, Annie Denise?" Sirius asked at the head of the table. He held this morning's newspaper and skimmed for words he knew so that he could get a gist.
"No reason. I'll be fine in no time." Annie promised.
"Alright then."

Someone knocked on the front door of the home.

Marshall got up to answer it while Annie and Diana fixed plates of breakfast.

"Did y'all hear the news?" asked Miss Donna once Marshall opened the door.
Sirius pushed his chair out so he could face her well and Diana and Annie's heads both turned to look at her.

Donna had a face ridden with despair. Wet eyes and hands that fiddled with one another like she was a nervous wreck.

Marshall opened the door wider to let her inside.

She sniffed and her eyes darted between Sirius and Diana.
"They hung Robert..."

Diana dropped a plate onto the counter.
Sirius's head fell while his hand ran over his hair, the other lazily holding the morning newspaper.
Annie stared with wet eyes.
Marshall stormed out of the house.

"MARSHALL!" Annie yelled and ran after him.

He'd gotten to the sidewalk between his home and the neighbor's before his knees gave out and he fell to the ground. Tears streaming down his brown cheeks, his fingers digging at the gravel.

Annie caught up to him and kneeled beside him.

"Why..." he asked weepingly.
He bent over, resting his head in his arms on the ground. Annie rubbed his back and sniffed while trying to keep her own tears down.

~•~

"When?" Diana asked as she passed a cup of black coffee to Miss Donna.

The family sat around the living room to listen once they had time to gather themselves.

"Last night." answered Miss Donna.
Annie's heart sunk.

"I can't imagine what Katherine's goin' through right now." said Diana.
"She's a wreck."

"His brother and brother in law are workin' on gettin' 'im untied now." Donna stated.
"How's Johnny takin' it?" Sirius wondered.
"Ain't tell him, yet. That boy's goin' through enough. They said they wanna let him focus on healin' first then tell him later. They ain't gonna have the funeral until he's alright and knows what happened."
"That sounds best." Diana stated.

"Mama?" Annie called.
"Yes, Annie?"
"Is it alright if I go for a walk?"
"You haven't eaten breakfast yet."
"I'll eat later, I promise. I've just lost my appetite and need to clear my head."
"Alright."
"Marshall, go with her." Sirius spoke up.
"But-..."
"Annie, don't you argue with me!" he interrupted.
She kept her mouth shut.
"Marshall, I said you go with her. Y'all come back in one piece. I bet not see a scratch."
"Yes, sir." Annie and Marshall agreed.

The two stood and walked out of the house.

"Are you alright?" Marshall asked.
"I should be asking you that. You were closer to Mr. Robert than I was bein' that you was always at their house with Johnny."
"I'm not alright at all. I wanna go into their neighborhoods and burn 'em to the ground."
Annie looked at him.
"One day I will. I'll make them regret doin' this to us. Cause we never deserved it. They do."

Annie didn't argue with him. They just kept walking.