Cemetery Street

"Manson, you knucklehead."

I handed him another beer.

A look of sadness overtook him as he looked into the sun streaked sky. Count told his story: "Russell had come to my old man with a matter of extreme importance. He made small talk with my folks a bit before my old man asked him what was so important."

"Well sir. If you would beg my pardon, I'd prefer not to talk about this, this situation, around the child.'"

"Fair enough,' the old man says. 'Boy, you're excused."

"But,' I protested."

"No buts boy, we have to talk business. You're excused; skedaddle!'"

"I stormed off to my bedroom. I tried listening; what could be so important? 'Boy, Shut your door.' the old man yelled. With my ear against the bedroom door I struggled to make out Russell's nervous jabber. I did hear him mention Shannie; I heard him mention Manson. When I heard the old man mention the police, I opened my door."

"Sir, we's can't call the police,' Russell said."

"Why the hell not?' the old man roared."

"Seeing that this here is a white town and I'm a blind black man, peoples be calling for my lynching."

"That's nonsense, you didn't do anything.'"

"That don't matter. I'd be automatically guilty. Like I said I'm a black man and she's a little white girl. Begging your pardon, I don't want to repeat history.'"

"Well, what the hell are we supposed to do?'"

"I don't know,' Russell answered. 'That's why I came to you. You're the only people I can trust.'"

"BOY! SHUT YOUR GOTDAMNED DOOR. TURN UP YOUR GOTDAMNED STEREO!'"

"Later I watched Russell and the old man cross the cemetery towards Shannie's."

"The next day the old man came into my room. 'It's about time you learn how the world works.' The old man was agitated. 'That Cretan Manson had his way with Shannie. We agree we ain't telling the cops.' He ran his hand over his head, 'It's all the better, if the paper finds out, it won't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Shannie was …. Well , then the poor little girl will have to deal with a ton of bullshit. You see Son, it's time to take matters into our own hands.'"

"What are we going to do?' I asked."