Page 35 of Under the Tulip Tree
“I guess I know what you mean.” He shrugged. “The people I’ve interviewed aren’t nearly as open as your Frankie has been with you. I think she’s a rarity among former slaves. You’re lucky you’ve been able to hear her stories firsthand.”
“Thanks.” Before I could stop myself, I added, “Would you like to meet her?”
He’d just put his hand on the gearshift. He paused and glanced at me. A slow smile drew the corners of his mouth up. “You know, I think I would. I’d like to meet your Frankie.”
I grinned, then glanced at my wristwatch. “I need to call Mama and let her know I’ll be late; otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Alden drove past several businesses that most likely had a telephone installed. I pointed to an establishment with anumber of cars parked in front. “Why don’t we try that one?” But he passed it too.
When I asked why, he didn’t look at me when he replied. “They aren’t the type of place a lady would enter. Especially a white lady.”
I gulped. After my frightening experience over the weekend, I certainly didn’t want to bring unnecessary attention to myself ever again. I wasn’t familiar with the types of businesses he referred to, but something in my gut told me I didn’t want to become familiar with them.
We drove to a small grocery store not far from the capitol building. An older black man stood behind the counter. His ready smile disappeared at seeing us approach.
“What can I do fo’ you folks?” His gaze darted beneath the counter for a brief moment.
“We’d like to use a telephone if you have one,” Alden said, sidestepping in front of me.
I thought it quite rude, so I moved out from behind him. A look of annoyance flashed across his face before he returned his attention to the man, who seemed to regard me with a hint of humor in his dark eyes.
He pointed to a door behind him. “I got one in the office there you can use.”
After calling Mama and making an excuse for not coming directly home, we headed to Frankie’s. My thoughts, however, stayed back at the store.
“Why did you get in front of me when you were speaking to that store owner?”
Alden kept his attention on the road. “Because he had a gun underneath the counter.”
I gasped. “How do you know that?”
“I saw him look at it when we walked in.”
Part of me wanted to argue that he couldn’t possibly know for certain a gun lay feet from us, yet hadn’t I learned Saturday that life in Hell’s Half Acre was far different from the life I’d always known? Alden had much more experience down here than I did, and I needed to trust him. Our situation reminded me a bit of Grandma and Grandpa’s, with her learning from him.
Heat rushed to my face, and I turned so he couldn’t see.
I did not have romantic feelings toward Alden as Grandma had for Grandpa, I reminded myself. We were strictly coworkers and possibly friends, nothing more.
And yet he’d shielded me with his own body.
The thought of such chivalry warmed me to my very core.
We arrived at Frankie’s. Light shone from the living room window as the oranges and golds of dusk settled over Nashville. Somehow the run-down neighborhood looked more peaceful and less sinister in the evening light. Yet if a shopkeeper kept a gun hidden beneath the counter, all was definitely not well in this part of town.
“We won’t stay long,” I said and climbed from the car. “She and Jael are probably getting their supper ready.” Someone in the house next door looked out the window, watching us.
Alden followed me up the narrow flower-lined walk.
A surprised look flashed across Jael’s pretty face when sheanswered my knock on the door. “Rena, Mama Fran didn’t mention you were coming by.” Her gaze took in Alden.
“She isn’t expecting me, but I’d like her to meet my friend, if she’s not busy.”
“Come in.” Jael ushered us into the small living room. The aroma of something savory came from the kitchen. “She’s been napping, but I heard her stirring a while ago. I’ll let her know you’re here.” The young woman disappeared down the hallway.
I turned and found Alden smiling at me. “What?”
He gave a slight shrug. “I can see you’ve become someone they trust. That’s quite an accomplishment in such a short amount of time. Well done, Miss Leland.”
