Page 47 of Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Book
“Oh dear Lord!” Kari Kelly hoisted herself out of the La-Z-Boy and hustled to the front door. She jiggled the knob to make sure it was locked. When she was satisfied, she pulled the curtains on the front window aside and peeked out into the yard. She’d bought the brightest bulbs she could find, but the porch light still couldn’t fight back the darkness beyond the front steps. Anything could be out there. “What is this world coming to?” she asked her husband.
Ken Kelly came into the living room, shaking his head in despair. “The good folks in this country let their guard down. We can’t let it happen again,” he said solemnly as he handed his wife her smoothie. “Don’t worry, we’re covered.” Ken took a seat and patted the drawer of the side table that stood next to his chair. Inside was his handgun. There was another upstairs in the nightstand on his side of the bed and a shotgun tucked out of sight in the linen closet.
Kari moved to a window on the other end of the room. “What’s keeping Keith so long? It’s beenhours. He just stepped on a nail, for goodness’ sake! You’d think he sawed off his whole leg.”
“That ruckus downtown must be keeping Dr. Chokshi pretty busy. He’s a good doctor. I’m sure he’ll get to our boy soon.”
“What did Keith say last time you texted him?”
Ken grimaced. He’d hold back the truth in certain circumstances, but he refused to lie to the woman he married. “He hasn’t texted me back.”
“What?” Kari screeched. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“Because it’s all okay, Mama,” Ken consoled her. “I can see his location. He’s at the doctor’s office. And I know he’s your son, but technically heisa grown man. Sit down and enjoy your smoothie. I promise Keith will be home as quick as he can.”
Kari took one more peek out the window and reluctantly returned to her chair.
Baltimore is not the only city that’s crumbling. Every city in America has seen a major uptick in crime. Those with Democratic mayors have witnessed skyrocketing rates of violence. Murderers and rapists roam the streets with impunity in places like New York and Philadelphia. Vagrants and addicts have taken over entire neighborhoods in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In Atlanta—
The volume shut off.
“What on earth are you doing?” Kari demanded. “We need to hear that!”
“Now is not the time, Mama,” Ken said. “When Keith’s home safe—”
“Kenneth Monroe Kelly, you were the one who let our only child enroll at Georgia Tech—right there in the middle of that cesspool of a city.”
“Woman, have you lost your mind?Ilet him go to Atlanta? I did everything I could to stop him! The boy was eighteen years old. He got a full scholarship! We both know I didn’t have a say in the matter.”
As much as Kari wished her husband had laid down the law back then, the truth was their son had been free to do as he wished. Even now, a year and a half after Keith made his decision, it was a hard pill to swallow. Every night, Kari watched the news. And every night, she prayed for her little boy’s safety. She wished that his world could be the same one she’d grown up in—a world where faith, kindness, and hard work were all that mattered. A world where looters didn’t run rampant in the Lenox Mall, pedophiles couldn’t hold public office, and little kids with wild imaginations weren’t prescribed hormones.
The idea that her son was out there all alone could leave her sobbing. But tonight, Kari knew she needed to hold it together and wait for Keith to get home. In the morning, she’d talk to him one more time. She’d try to convince him to stay closer to Troy. Ken could use a partner to help grow his septic tank business.Kelly and Sondid have a wonderful ring to it.
As the grandfather clock struck eight, the volume on the television began to rise once more.
A virus is spreading across college campuses. But this one doesn’t infect the lungs—instead it makes its home in young people’s brains. It’s called critical race theory, and it’s being injected into everything from history courses to calculus. Some minds are strong enough to resist it, but others quickly fall prey. The signs and symptoms are easy to spot but difficult to treat—a growing contempt for church and country; a conviction that society’s problems all boil down to race; and a belief that white men are always to blame.
Kari felt tears well in her eyes, and she couldn’t help but let out a sniffle. All she’d wanted was what was best for her son.
“Sweetheart, were you listening? He just said some minds are strong enough to resist it,” Ken pointed out. “Keith was raised right. He’ll be able to see straight through that hogwash. It’s people like Keith who will fight back against it.”
Kari nodded and tried to stay quiet while the tears trickled down her cheeks. It was too much of a burden for one young man’s shoulders.
Keith knew his parents meant well. He’d tried his best to keep them from worrying so much, but every time he visited, he found himself fielding a new set of urgent questions.
No, Mom, I don’t care who uses the men’s room. Nobody goes there to make friends.
Yeah, I’m sure people hate me, but it’s not ’cause I’m white. It’s ’cause I’m so awesome.
No, I’m not trying to make you feel better. None of my friends have ever been mugged.
I’m registered Independent, not Democrat. And no, we’re not gonna discuss how I vote.
Just ’cause I haven’t brought a girl home from school doesn’t mean I’ve “gone gay.”
Why would I bring a girl home if you’re just gonna ask her questions like these?
Yes, I did have a wonderful childhood, and yes, I do love you both very much.
