Freedom Train

February 7, 1963 Cont.

February 7, 1963 Part: 3

"Now, let's get real," she said coldly, causing Annabeth's heart to begin pattering in her chest. "What on Earth have you done to my son?"

Annabeth's eyes widened and her back straightened. The question had completely thrown her for a loop. Apparently, Terry's mother was a phenomenal actress, because Annabeth had truly thought that she had liked her. She was clearly mistaken.

"What...What do you mean?" she stuttered.

"My Terry is a smart boy," Athena began. "He's always had a level head on his shoulders. He knew better than this. This was never something I expected from him. Terry was spose' to be different. And if you think for one second I believe that cockamamie story about an automobile accident busting my boys face up that way, you'd be sorely mistaken."

Athena paused and then continued slowly.

"I lost a son already. Did Terry tell you about his brother, Jackson?"

Annabeth nodded and went to speak but Athena cut her off almost immediately.

"Doesn't matter," Athena continued, waving her hand toward Annabeth as if she were batting away a pesky fly. "Jackson was a lot like Terry. He was headstrong and compassionate, probably too much so. He was a good boy. A good, good boy."

Athena paused as her voice cracked in remembrance of the son she lost.

"Also like Terry, he found himself in love with a white girl. It got him murdered in cold blood- Tossed in a dumpster- like his life wasn't worth nothing," she said as her voice turned cold once again and her eyes glared holes through Annabeth's face.

"Mrs. White, I'm so sorry about your son. I..."

"Save it," she interrupted yet again as she stood to her feet. "I'm putting on a brave face for my boy, but you just know that it's disgust behind my eyes when I look at you- At your milky white skin and golden hair- At your privilege that I'm sure you take for granted and your utter selfishness at ruining my son's life. I will never approve of this relationship, and neither will the rest of my family. And so help me, God, Annabeth- If you get my boy killed I'm going to come for you. And I'm going to ruin you."

Annabeth's mouth hung open and she made no move to respond. Athena didn't say another word before turning on her heel and stalking from the room.

Annabeth waited a few minutes in the silence, processing what Terry's mother had said to her and the cruel way in which she had said it. Then, she wiped the shock from her face and put on the same brave charade his mother had.

Annabeth decided in that moment that she wouldn't tell Terry about the way his mother had spoken to her, about the hate she clearly held for her in her heart.

If Athena could fake her acceptance, Annabeth could hide her hurt.

*~*~*

Terry and Annabeth walked up to the train platform side by side, but not daring to touch. They had gotten a few questioning looks from the people around them as they just walked together. She couldn't imagine what the people of Birmingham would've done had they done something so bold as hold hands.

Annabeth tried not to notice the blatant stares, but it was damn near impossible, especially with Athena's words ringing fresh in her ears.

As they neared the train, Annabeth saw Candy stick her head out of the top of an open window and smile down at them.

"There you guys are. We're all sitting here in the middle. Come on!" she exclaimed excitedly.

Annabeth smiled at her as the train conductor came out the open door. The man jogged down the three steps and blew his whistle, his eyes looking around the platform.

"All aboard!" he called. "Train departs in two minutes."

"Let's go," Terry said as he walked toward the door with a wide smile on his face.

Annabeth smiled at his enthusiasm and followed, stopping only when she heard a familiar voice behind them in the distance.

"Wait!" the voice called as he ran up the platform toward them.

Annabeth turned her head, surprise overcoming her for the second time that day.

"I didn't know you were coming," Annabeth said to Bobby as he climbed up the steps and into the train behind her.

"Last minute decision," he answered briskly as he turned into the door and headed toward the middle of the train car and to the rest of their group.

Candy stood to her feet as they entered the train, gesturing them forward. Bobby and Annabeth were the center of attention among the other passengers as they made their way down the crowded aisle to settle in with a group of all African American's, aside from Bradley who was tucked away in the corner, already napping in his seat.

"Bobbo!" Henry exclaimed as he stood to his feet and shook Bobby's hand. "I didn't think you were going to make it."

"Surprise," Bobby joked as he settled in beside Candy.

"Hey Bobby," Candy said with a shy blush.

"Hey Candy," he returned with a polite smile.

"I didn't know he was coming," Terry whispered into Annabeth's ear as she sat beside him.

"I don't think anyone did," she replied, not so sure how she felt about Bobby coming along.

"It's okay, though, Annabeth. It's good he came. The more of you we have on our side, the better."

Annabeth grimaced slightly at the way he said, 'the more of you.' She knew he didn't mean anything by it, and she also know that he was right. She just didn't like the separation, the divide, that the 'us' and 'you' insinuated.

Terry reached over and linked their fingers together as the train sprung to life and began to slowly move down the tracks. Annabeth looked over at him, smiling softly, and he squeezed her fingers in response.

"What's wrong?" Annabeth asked Terry when she noticed that he looked concerned as they began their journey.

"I just hope you're ready for this." Terry smiled softly.

"I am," Annabeth assured him as she inconspicuously leaned her body against his.

Terry turned his face, kissing the top of her head quickly, trying not to draw too much attention to their close proximity for the benefit of the other passengers on the train and of their group.

"Good," he answered. "Because this is only the first stop on our Freedom Train, Annabeth. And I want nothing more than for you to be on board every time. If there's ever something you don't want to do, tell me. I'll support you. This is our ride- Not just mine."

Annabeth looked up at him and smiled.

He was right.

It was their Freedom Train.

And Annabeth Washington was ready to ride.