The Hope of Eden

Strange Kindness

"Ehre sei Gott," (Glory to God)

Carmen sighed, placing the strawberry milk in his cart.

Today, he decided to treat himself to the delicacy.

Though it was only fifteen after eleven, his day had already been frustrating.

He was sincerely thinking of moving into the clinic to ensure every client was treated with care.

It wasn't becoming of the Slater Clinic to forsake the foundational values and spirit he instilled in 1883.

Not only was a negro woman denied, but three negro children as well.

The grace of God covered him as he calmly dismissed the receptionist and nurse who sent them away without care.

Now, he could feel anger and frustration returning upon recalling his morning.

Still, there was something to be grateful for.

"Strawberry milk," His lips rose from its frown.

He was a simple man to please.

"Ah, Dr. Slater, will that be all for you?" The young cashier asked after taking his prized strawberry milk.

"They called me for you?"

Carmen recognized the voice as belonging to the store manager.

He looked over his shoulder and found a negro woman standing at the service desk.

"Dr. Slater?"

He turned back and nodded at the cashier. "Yes, thank you."

"Yes. I saw the sign on the window, help wanted. Are you still in need of a worker?"

"Nope." The manager clicked his teeth. "We aren't looking to hire a girl like you. Won't you stick to being a mammy, you'll do real good."

Carmen shook his head at the man's ignorance and handed money to the cashier. "Please have them send this to my home."

"Yes, sir."

Sighing in frustration, Carmen restrained himself from teaching the ignorant manager a lesson on compassion and discipline.

If his mother heard him speak the way that man did, even at sixty-three, she would tan his hide.

Where did these Americans go wrong?

He was no fool of the vast cruelty of his people, but in the land made for freedom and new life, it seemed its people had no clue what it meant to allow all people freedom and new life.

"Help us, Lord."

Upon walking out of the store, he saw the woman and beside her, a little girl.

A quadroon.

The woman's posture spoke volumes. She was upset.

With good reason.

"Miss," He called, hoping to find a solution to her problem.

No one deserved to be turned away because of their skin, especially a mother.

"Miss," He called again and she turned to him, clinging to her daughter.

Lord, my God.

If he could've rattled the brain of the manager, he would in a second.

He must've been blind. He had to be.

Even with a prejudice, he had to see how beautiful this woman was.

She reminded him of a field of wildflowers.