Colored

Segregation Forever

The days seemed to fly by and it was Sunday. Tomorrow I would no longer be able to do as I like. I would have to work. Today I would sneak out to go to church. I doubt anyone would notice my absence. Reese was the only one who frequently checked on me. Today he would be taking care of Alex, who had gotten the flu. Part of me told me to go be with Alex. Help him get better. I shook my head. I'm sure there would be a march meeting at the church. No matter how much I loved Alex, desegregation was more important. I wore the same clothes Laurel had given me a few days ago. I put my hair in a bun and walked out of my room. I immediately heard the sound of coughing. Reese came out of the room. "Adriana, can you please take care of Alex while I go get him some water. He walks away before I can answer. I walk into the room and see Alex's suffering. I walk over to his bed. "Hey." I say softly. He turns to me and smiles. "I was hoping you would come." I could see the beads of sweat on his forehead. He was hot, but he was shaking. I sigh and close my eyes. I was afraid that this was the kind of illness that took away people from their families. I open my eyes and smile at him. "I'm here." He holds out his hand and I grab it. I remember the day that he told me his bones were weak. He had held me as I sobbed. I remember the fear that he would somehow die from that. After what seems like forever, Reese comes back. Alex had already fallen asleep. I kiss his cheek and I leave. That was a humongous risk. I knew it was. Bull could have seen. I walk all the way to sixteenth street Baptist church. They start and the whole time they tell us of their plans. We would hold more marches. We would send someone to speak in front of everyone in Birmingham. Bull was supposed to speak in two days. They motioned me to the stage. I told everyone of the recent events. I was chosen to speak, since it would be easier for me to get to the stage. I would speak after Bull was finished. We were about to finish when we heard sirens. I was sure they were just passing by. The door flew open and officers barged in. "Arrest all these people for trying to hold a segregation meeting! They were planning on killing!" Faster than I could imagine the officers were beating everyone. They dragged the unconscious bodies out. Some were willing to go and just got arrested, with no force. I saw an officer pull out a gun and aimed it a girl. I immediately recognized the girl. It was Quinn! She must have gotten here late. I ran in front of her. "NO!" I screamed. The officer grabbed us both by our hair and dragged us into the car. They were taking us to jail. I'm in big trouble.