November nineteenth, 1933
It was November nineteenth and I hadn't seen Violet out on her front porch in three days. That would happen sometimes but I never knew what kept her indoors or elsewhere. I just guessed she was helping her family work or entertaining the kids.
I was really hoping she'd be out there because today was special. I had wanted to be the first to wish her happy birthday but that wasn't possible without looking suspicious.
And there she was, Romeo and Juliet in her lap, but she wasn't looking at it. She was watching a beautiful monarch flying around her, staying completely still other than her eyes following the butterfly. It eventually landed atop her beautiful head and rested there.
I smiled as I met her eyes and she smiled back, mouthing for me to come on in. I did, watching as she slowly and carefully put her hand atop her head, in front of the butterfly. I watched in wonderment as the creature fluttered onto her palm.
"Good mornin', Miss Violet," I greeted. "It's a beauty," I compliment, gesturing to the butterfly that still resided in her hand that she'd moved to rest on her lap.
"Yes. Very beautiful," Violet agreed quietly, awe in her voice. She moved her hand slightly, giving the butterfly a boost as it took off. She watched it a moment longer then turned back to me.
I noticed she now sported a fading black eye.
"My gosh, Violet," I said, surprised. "What's happenin' to ya?" I asked, kneeling down in front of her. "Who's hurtin' you?" I asked gently, worried for her safety.
Her hand tentatively reached up to just below her right eye, knowing what I was talking about, and her face fell somewhat. "Its nothing," she said quietly then stood and walked into the house. "C'mon, Tom," she called and I quickly followed her.
I decided to drop it because she definitely didn't seem like she wanted to talk about the subject. "What would you like me to do, ma'am?" I asked as I followed her down the main hallway.
"The faucet's leaky and I was wonderin' if maybe you could fix it. I've got some tools if you need 'em," she explained as she disappeared into a room.
I quickly followed and realized we were in the bathroom. I immediately glanced at the sink and it was indeed leaking from the pipe beneath the actual porcelain bowl.
I had never fixed a leaky sink but I was sure going to try for Violet.
"I believe I can..." I said uncertainly and got onto my knees. "I think I'll need..." I trailed of as I heard the bathroom's door shut. I looked up at her just as she clicked the rusted lock. I stood, wondering what she was doing.
She looked scared of something and very nervous. "Tom... Tom I-" She broke herself off as she pressed her lips to mine.
I was shocked, unsure if I should do the right thing by my head(which was to gently push her away and leave) or the right thing by my heart(which was to caress her delicate face and kiss her back). I went with the latter, my good right hand caressing her cheek as my lips easily moved along with hers, my eyes sliding shut in contentment.
Violet pulled back after a moment and I think I felt her trembling. "Was that alright?" she asked nervously, a light pink on her cheeks.
A large smile appeared on my face. "That was more than alright, darlin'," I said and lightly pecked her lips once more.
She finally smiled that breathtaking smile and turned her back to me to fetch a box sitting on the floor. She popped it open and then turned back to hand me the wrench. "Thank you," she said quietly then sat on the lid of the toilet and I got to work.
My head kept screaming at me, saying this was wrong. It continued to berate me on how I was putting myself and Violet in danger by letting myself love her. In our society, it just wasn't right for a white woman to love a black man.
She was risking being shunned by everyone. She may even be risking her own life, seeing as she always has bruises on her skin. I was risking death- whether it was by her father or someone else in town or even the court.
All of that considered, and I'm sure she has thought about it, she'd still kissed me- and I still loved her.
"What're ya thinkin' 'bout, Tom," Violet asked suddenly. "You've been pretty quiet," she pointed out.
I shook my head. "Nothin' of consequence, ma'am," I replied, not caring much for the idea of voicing my inner ramblings.
She scowled cutely. "Please don't call me ma'am. It makes me feel rather old," she requested, looking slightly like a peeved kitten.
I sat back, away from the fixed pipe, and leaned against the wall. I smiled at her. "Violet, then," I amended.
She smiled back. "Call me darlin'," she requested sheepishly. "I liked it."
Hesitantly, I waved her over. "C'mere, darlin'," I said, slightly shy and nervous.
Her face brightened and she immediately stood and sat down beside me. She snuggled under my arm and into my side then sighed contentedly.
I wished I could hit pause right at this very moment.
After a few more blissful minutes, Violet suddenly shot up. "Oh, Gosh, he's gonna be back soon," she fretted and quickly unlocked the door. She checked outside and beckoned me. "C'mon, Tom, you've got to skedaddle before my father gets back," she said urgently.
I quickly stood and followed her out. I had to jog to keep up with her brisk pace as she headed to the front door.
Once we were outside she breathed a sigh of relief and plopped wearily down onto her rocking chair. She looked pretty shaken up and I wondered if it was merely the adrenalin that I felt pumping through my veins at the thought of getting caught by her father.
"Thanks again, Tom. Sorry I kept you from work," she apologized and stood again. "Um, I don't really have a nickel to pay you..." she said shamefully, sounding like she was admitting to murder.
I shook my head. "No worries, darlin'." And I left, sprinting to Mr. Link Deas's farm with what I was guessing to be a stupid grin on my face.