An Elderberry Fall by Ruth P. Watson Page A

too old for that?”
    â€œNo, she is a friend. Are you still trying to get me to talk to Nadine?”
    â€œNot anymore.”
    â€œNadine is not a friend, Simon. She is the opposite. Even Momma told me to watch her.”
    â€œWell, then you should,” he said, shaking his head. “You ready?”
    I stood in front of the chifferobe mirror, meticulously twisting my hair with my fingers, turning my curls under into a bob.
    â€œCome on; let’s go,” Simon anxiously said, grinning.
    I picked up Robert and headed for the door. Simon grabbed his bottle and followed close behind me.
    As we climbed into the Model T Ford, Nadine came out the house bouncing with each stride.
    â€œHi, Simon!”
    He ignored her. So did I and I looked in the opposite direction.
    We got in the car and drove the four blocks to the club on the corner of Adams Street. The crowd was already lining up to enter. Ladies and gentlemen were patiently waiting to get into the club and catch a glimpse of the community celebrities. Simon and I parked across the street behind a brand-new Studebaker and joined the already restless crowd in line. It appeared the whole community had come out for Pearl Brown. There were several white people patiently waiting as well. One of the men resembled the man I’d seen Pearl holding hands with as they left the Jefferson Hotel. Once inside, we found a seat up front near the stage. The first time we were here, we sat in the middle.
    â€œCan we sit up front?” I begged like a little child. “The closer to the action, the better…”
    We located a table on the right side of the stage, closer to the entrance and bar.
    The tables were filling up fast. There were a few wooden stools around the outskirts, in case the seats were all taken. On this fall evening, everyone was coming out.
    Shortly after we were seated, a lady came over to our table. I had never seen her before. She was brown and stout, with an appealing smile.
    â€œHi, Simon; it is good to see you again,” she said, smiling seductively at my husband.
    â€œHi,” he said, nodding.
    â€œI didn’t know you lived in Richmond,” she commented in a puzzled tone of voice.
    She ignored me and continued gazing at Simon. Simon twiddled his fingers together, like he was nervous about something.
    â€œYes, I do. This is my wife, Carrie.” He abruptly stopped the conversation and glanced over at me.
    â€œOh, hi,” she said.
    I smiled.
    A frown rolled across her lips.
    â€œI guess I’d better take a seat,” she said and walked off as if her feelings had been hurt.
    Simon didn’t say anything and neither did I. I wondered who that lady could be to Simon. She seemed to disappear into the crowd.
    Mrs. Walker strutted in the door wearing a pink satin dress and gloves, a mink stole on her arm. Her partner, a dark stately fellow in a navy suit and bow tie escorted her to a reserved table in the front which was centered in front of the stage. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. She was elegant and powerful. She held her head uphigh, and her shoulders squared. Her demeanor was of leadership and control. A nod and a smile was her way of acknowledging the people in the crowd waving excitedly at her. I sat still, my eyes roving from place to place, trying not to miss anything.
    Everyone seemed to loosen up at places like the nightclub. After everyone had had a drink of liquor, the atmosphere started to change. Stiff faces softened and laughter emerged throughout the room. Simon kept smiling at me as if he were dazzled by something I had done. Maybe it was because I didn’t ask about the lady who’d abruptly vanished into the crowd.
    â€œHere she comes,” I said.
    Ms. Pearl waltzed in with Willie on her arm. Willie was smiling from ear to ear. She had on a royal-blue dress, which glimmered with the lights. It was tight-fitting and hugged her hips with an unyielding grip.
    She sauntered up