Freedom Train

April 7, 1963 cont.

April 7, 1963 Cont.

The group of protestors continued to march toward City Hall, despite the brutality of the police dogs that were set forth by Bull Connor and the Birmingham Sherriff's department.

Everyone continued forward no matter the danger- Everyone except Annabeth and Terry.

Annabeth found herself getting increasingly angry the further away he pulled her.

For some reason, Terry had taken it upon himself to snatch her hand up and lead her away from the march and down the nearest alley. His head swiveled quickly, trying to find some place to hide with her, the grip on her hand tightening.

"What's this all about?" Annabeth asked, trying to pull her hand away from his.

Instead of replying, Terry seemed to find what he was looking for and pulled her further down the narrow road and then into a doorway that was pushed back slightly into the wall, giving them enough space to hide unseen.

"Terry?" Annabeth asked, once he stopped moving and leaned back against the wall.

He turned his eyes toward her.

"What's this about?" she repeated.

"I thought you'd be afraid of the dogs," he answered meekly.

Annabeth rolled her eyes and Terry immediately felt like a fool. His reasoning for going back for her sounded a whole lot more noble in his head. Once said out loud, his over reactions seemed almost silly and entirely unnecessary.

"Those dogs wouldn't take a second glance my way," Annabeth replied. "I mean, they startled me, sure, but I can march on."

Terry nodded, knowing she was right. Those dogs only had one target in mind. Coloreds.

"Why do you care how I feel anyway?" Annabeth asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Terry slid down the wall and ran his hands over his head.

"You haven't spoken a word to me in weeks. I'd say it's pretty clear that you don't give a hoot about me at all, Terrence."

He looked up at her, his eyes narrowed.

"You know that's not true."

Annabeth laughed.

"Oh really? Care so much that you break my heart and then date my girlfriend?"

"That was stupid," Terry said softly.

"Damn right it was," Annabeth scolded, feeling herself fire up the more she scolded him.

She needed this. She had wanted to say so many things to him those last few weeks and instead she kept her lips closed and her pride bruised. It was time to speak out, time to heal.

"Not only was it stupid, it was down-right mean. You don't think it hurt enough just knowing that you don't want me here? Knowing that you didn't want to be with me anymore? After all I'd done to be with you? All the thinking and wondering what I'd done wrong? You claimed fear for my safety and then broke my heart into a million pieces, ignored me for weeks and then you think you have the right to give me judgey eyes when you realize I share a room with Bobby- And you think you can just take my hand and pull me away from something that's important to me because you think I need saving? No! You don't get to do those things, Terry. You gave up the right to interfere in my life when you gave me up."

"Annabeth," Terry sighed. "I'm sorry. For everything."

Annabeth scoffed. Perching her hands on her hips, she looked down at him with a scowl.

"That's it? That's all you gotta say to me?"

"I don't want to fight no more," he replied, looking up and into her face, their eyes locking.

Annabeth could feel her resolve fading because his eyes made it clear that he meant it. Every word.

Terry held his hand up to her, a half smile on his face. Annabeth looked at the hand, her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed in speculation.

"Sit with me?" he asked.

Annabeth sighed and turned her head to look outside of the doorway and back toward the march.

"What about the march?" she asked.

Terry continued to hold his hand out to her, offering her a space beside him on the wall.

"What about the dogs?" he tried to joke.

Annabeth bit her bottom lip as a series of barks rang through the air.

"I mean, I guess we can sit for a little while," she smiled, as she reached out and put her hand in his.

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