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across from the campus. The colored lady who ran the house told me I could stay there, share a room with another student, if I helped her prepare the food for the other students who had money to pay. I agreed. I had been cooking most of my life anyway.
    On the way back to the train station, I realized I had thought about everything but little Robert. How could I go to school with a baby? I didn’t know how I would handle it, but I knew there would be a way.
    I didn’t see Jessie when I boarded the train heading back to Richmond. I was sort of indifferent about seeing him. I wasn’t sure why he told me I was beautiful. Was it because he was lonely? Or had he been sincere? It sounded inappropriately good. I hadn’t seen my own husband in over a month.
    Robert was sitting in Mrs. Hall’s lap when I got back home. Hisjovial eyes gleamed as she bounced him on her knee. He glanced at me, smiled and then reached with both hands for me. He was so charming. My heart filled with love when I saw him, and I wondered how I could go to school and leave my little boy.
    â€œWell, what happened down in Petersburg?”
    â€œI enrolled, Mrs. Hall.”
    â€œGood, child. When will you begin?”
    â€œIn two weeks.”
    â€œGood; now how many days will you be in Petersburg?”
    â€œI will be there for four days a week. I’ve got to find someone to look after Robert for me while I’m in school.”
    â€œWe’ll take care of him for you. He’s used to us. Let us help you.”
    â€œMrs. Hall, that is too much to ask of you.”
    â€œI like having Robert. He is like the child we always wanted. My husband loves him like his own. Besides, you and Simon are like our children too. Now, before you say no, talk to Simon about it. Send him a letter.”
    â€œI don’t think Simon would want me in school.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œHe thinks I should wait here until his career as a baseball player has taken off.”
    â€œIt is always about the man.” She giggled.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œHoney, this is the twenties. A woman is supposed to be beside her man, behind her man, but never equal. In other words, women are supposed to cook, clean and open their legs when their husbands desire. There is more to life than being a housewife.”
    â€œDid you want more, Mrs. Hall?”
    â€œI wanted more, and I had more. I had my own business. When I met my husband, people couldn’t understand our relationship, so I sold the business and we moved here.”
    â€œSo, you did that for your husband?”
    â€œNo, I did it for me. He never asked me to do anything I didn’t want to do. We lived amongst a lot of racists. I didn’t want to wake up and find my husband hanging from some tree. I moved here because it is safer. I will go anywhere with him. After all these years, we are still in love.”
    â€œI hope Simon will understand.”
    â€œHe will. Besides, you will be done in no time.”
    â€œMrs. Hall, please don’t say anything about this to Simon. I want to talk to him first.”
    â€œMy lips are sealed.”
    I went up the stairs with Robert on my hip, shaking my head. Simply baffled.

Chapter 9

    S imon came home just before the evening breeze had begun to stir up the leaves falling on the cool, dry ground, and as the sun descended behind the clouds. After traveling all over the map, going across the border to Washington and Baltimore, and even driving for three days to St. Louis, Missouri, he needed rest. The Colored League was expanding, but for some reason, Simon felt he hadn’t found the right team for himself yet.
    Every time I saw my husband, my heart started to do a love dance in my chest, pounding for his attention. And this visit was nonetheless the same. A smile wiped across my face at the sight of him. The reason he had chosen to be a ball player had become prevalent in my thoughts. Finally, and for the