Freedom Train

April 12, 1963 Pt. 5

"Dear Lord," Papa Pritchard began as all those around the dinner table joined hands and bowed their heads for grace. "We thank you for this gift of our supper. Bless this food for our consumption as we enjoy the fruits of our labor through your ever-giving bounty. As you have provided for us in the past, may you sustain us through-out our lives. While we enjoy your gifts, may we never forget those needy and those in want. Fill our hearts with grateful praise. Amen."

"Amen," the group echoed as they dropped hands and opened their eyes.

"This looks delicious, ladies" Papa Pritchard smiled toward Liz and Sandy as he piled his plate high with mashed potatoes and pot roast before passing the serving dish to the man on his left, Henry.

"Thank you, Papa," Lizzie smiled.

The boys remained quiet. It was awkward as hell to be eating dinner at a white man's table, even though Papa Pritchard had shown them nothing but respect and kindness as he welcomed them into his home and helped them with their vehicles.

Silence stretched through the dining room as plates were filled and everyone began their meals.

"I reckon the cars should be fixed by Sunday morning, if we head out again as soon as we've finished. You boys will just stay put until they're done," Papa Pritchard spoke into the quiet, directing his words toward Terry and Henry. "Lizzie will prepare a room for you both, if she hasn't already."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you." Henry replied politely.

"You'll be safe here. And I may not be able to get the dents out of them vehicles, but we should be able to fix em' up enough to drive the lot of you back into Birmingham."

"Yes, Sir," Henry repeated.

"We appreciate the hospitality and the assistance, Sir," Terry added.

"Don't mention it, Son," he replied. "I'm only doing God's work, helping fellow souls in need."

"Not many around here would've helped Negro men," Henry added as he grabbed his water glass and took a drink.

"Not many around here are truly Godly men like Papa Pritchard is," Sandy scowled, meeting Henry's eyes from across the table. "They only claim to be as they hold hate in their hearts so fiercely that they can't see nothing but their own ignorance."

Henry held her gaze for a few extended moments before lowering his eyes back to his plate and continuing to eat.

"So, tell me," Terry asked, "How do you feel about Sandy, Annabeth and Bobby protesting alongside us?"

Papa Pritchard wiped the side of his mouth with his cloth napkin before he settled the fabric square back in his lap.

"Proverbs 31:8-9 clearly states, 'Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.' This exact quote holds true to the plight of your people, Son," Mr. Pritchard said. "Hell, I'd be out there on that line myself if I wasn't the only person keeping this farm running. It's a hell of a brave act for you men to stand for your racial equality, especially here in Alabama. It's just as brave for Bobby and those girls to stand beside you."

"How would you feel if it were your own daughter out there?" Henry asked, his eyes darting toward Lizzie, who sat silently for most of the meal.

"My Lizzie has far too many stars in her eyes to be able to witness that sort of brutality first hand, and that's just fine. But I've raised her to view every man, woman and child as children of God, regardless of their race. She has the purest heart of anyone I know and if she did one day decide to protest alongside you, I'd be just as proud of her then as I am now."