Katie Proctor - Hand in Hand

S even-year-old Hazel Jackson clutched Papas hand and held a scarf up to her face to protect her cheeks from the biting wind. He was walking fast, with purpose, though she wasnt quite sure where they were going. What she did know was that they were on their way for Papa to vote.

Hazel shivered, remembering Ma Maybelles warning at the breakfast table just that morning. Be careful Willie, son. You know them white folk get all jittery on voting day.

Aw, Ma, dont get me down, now. Votings somethin I gotta do. Cant help make no changes, cant make life better for us if we dont vote.

To that, shed said, I know it, Willie. Just be carefuls all.

Now, almost yelling to be heard above the cry of the wind, Hazel said, Why do white folk get all jittery, Papa?

Hazel, my girl, some of them white folk dont want us colored folk to vote. Theyre scared they gonna lose their power. But how can they, when all them politiciansre white? Still, a mans gotta vote. And thats what Im gonna do.

Mama had put up a big fight when Papa said he was taking Hazel with himnot being safe and all, not knowing what the white folk would do when he tried to cast his ballot. But in the end, hed won outsaying she needed to see democracy in action, that his own children would grow up to exercise their rightsand Hazel had followed Papa out, proud to be holding his strong hand.

Papa wore his best suit, freshly cleaned and ironed. He shaved his face, too, and wore a tidy cap over his head full of tight curls. Hazel never remembered her Papa getting so dressed up for a walk to downtown. He looked like he did on Sundays for church.

When City Hall came into view, Hazels chest felt like someone had reached in and was squeezing it tight. There was a line: white men and a few white women, all of them bundled in long coats. The cold front had come unexpectedly, and on voting day, no less. There was not one other person with dark skin like Hazels or Papas in sight.

You sure about this, Papa? Hazel asked, her eyes wide.

Yes, Hazel. I am here to vote, and I intend to do just that. Now, if things get ugly, you run, okay? Fast as you can, right back home. You hear?

Yes, Papa. His words forced her to suck in a breath of cold air, and a shiver crawled up her spine before she let it out.

As they walked closer to the line, Hazel could feel the white folks stares as they bore into her. She could hear whispers and coughs as they took their place at the end. The man right in front of Hazel looked hard at them and then took a large, exaggerated step forward to put some distance between them. Papa looked straight ahead, resolute.

The line inched forward, quicker than Hazel wouldve guessed, but it was cold and she supposed folks wanted to get on home. No one said a word to Papa until they had reached the steps and a red-faced man walked right up to them. Hazel squeezed Papas hand harder.

Go find your own place to vote. No Negroes allowed here, boy!

Papa smiled tightly down at Hazel to assure her everything was fine and then looked the man right in the face as he spoke, Sir, I got a Constitutional right to vote, and I aim to do it. Aint no other place in town to vote and you know it.

A different man stepped closer to Papa and spat in his face. Then I guess you aint voting today. Now get. Another man nearby growled, You people shouldnt even have the vote. Others in line agreed with loud calls of Yessir! and Here, here!

Papa, letting go of Hazels hand, wiped his face calmly with a handkerchieffor even in the cold, beads of sweat had formed on his faceand stood his ground. Nobody spoke until two more important-looking men in suits came out to investigate.

One of them walked up to Papa, looking him up and down with a devilish grin spread across his face. Okay, darkie. You got poll tax money?

Yes, sir, Papa said and held out an envelope, full of two weeks worth of wages. There had also been an argument at home about this. Two weeks worth of wages could buy a lot for their family. But Papa had saved it, over months, for just this day. Hazel hadnt seen anyone else pay any money to vote.

The man took it, counted every single bill slowly and deliberately, then counted again. Okay, boy, now alls you have to do is pass this here literacy testhe waved a paper covered with very small print in Papas faceand then well see about you voting.

Papa stiffened, but looked down at Hazel. Sokay, go on home, like we talked. This may take a while, Hazel-girl. Hazel shook her head, there was no way she was leaving Papa there. She was starting to think the only reason they hadnt done worse to him was because she was there.

No, Papa, I dont mind waiting. Ill stay.

She heard a woman behind her cough and say, not-so-quietly to her friend, Cant even control his insolent child. The words burned into Hazels very soul, she was never disrespectfulthat was her brother Willie Jr.s job.

Wellyou coming or not, boy? the man asked. Or are you too stupid? Whats the matter? Cant read?

Papa bit his lip, hesitating a bit too long, because at that moment, the man shoved Papa and he fell down the steps backward. Folks nearby moved out of his way but made no move to help him up. Hazel cried out and ran to his side, freezing when she saw the man pull out a shiny, silver, sharp-looking knife. Papa looked at her with a panic in his eye and said firmly but quietly, Hazel. Go on home. Then his panic subsided and with more determination than shed ever seen, he finished, Ill see you when I come home. I love you.

She didnt want to leave him, but she knew Papa was real serious. She waited until he stood, hugged his leg, whispered, I love you, too, Papa, and then turned toward home. The last thing she heard was Papa clear his throat and say, Okay, sir, Im ready for that there test.

As she passed the folks in line, though, Hazel spied a little girl about her age with wild red hair and a face full of freckles, watching Hazel with wide eyes and a hand over her mouth. Hazel didnt have time to give her another thought as she ran, but those bright red curls were burned into her memory for years to come.

L ily never saw her daddy cry until the day a dirty red brick shattered the front window of the store. She didnt even know it had happened until she got home from school, the last day before summer vacation, but that day marked the start of the most memorable summer of Lilys life.