Chapter Sixteen: NIC

"The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose."

~James Baldwin

(IPOV)

"Scarlett … your father is—"

My heart hammered in my chest and the deafening sound of glass shattering resounded throughout Uncle James' house.

Alice froze mid-sentence, her eyes wide and paralyzed by fear that instinctively caused goosebumps to rise along my arms.

"He's here," she whispered and I blinked once, as if I were unable to understand the meaning of her words. They sounded like a foreign language and I grasped Lincoln's hand, traumatized by the chill that ran down my spine. Alice ran out of the bathroom and to her window, glancing down below. "It's the police! Lincoln, you've got to hide!"

Lincoln swallowed, fully aware of the situation and the repercussions it would bring to him and his family. "I —"

"There's no time!" Alice exclaimed, grabbing him the arm. My hand slipped from his as she dragged him away, his feet stumbling over the carpet. I ran behind them and Carlisle was already half-way up the stairs to get his son.

The adults were downstairs, dressed in their nighttime clothing, except for Jenks, who still wore his butler attire. They all panicked at the broken glass that lay beneath one of the windowpanes.

"In the cabinet," James ordered them. "I'll take care of this."

Aunt Victoria noticed Jasper and Jessica at the top of the staircase. "Stay upstairs and do not come down!"

Jasper nodded, taking his little sister's hand and dashing back to their rooms. Jenks leaned against the sofa for support, like his ailing heart was unable to handle all of the commotion.

The sirens wailed and a second window was destroyed by another brick. Esme ducked, the block barely missing her shoulder. Loud bangs sounded at the front door and its hinges threatened to break loose from the panel.

James rushed to the door, unlocking it and turning the knob so it would open. Father stood amongst five police officers, each with either a baton or gun in their hands.

"Charles." Uncle James spit the word out like it was poison on his tongue. Father brushed by him, marching into the house with the officers filing in behind him.

"Where is he?" Father yelled, his eyes surveying the living room. "I know he's here."

"I have no idea who you're talking about," Uncle James replied calmly. "My family and I are trying to sleep. And you've broken my windows. There's no need for it."

"Don't play stupid with me, James. Besides, I've always had a flare for the dramatics." Father scowled at everyone in the room and his eyes finally settled on mine. His expression softened slightly and he spoke to me as if I was a child. "Scarlett, listen to me darling. I know you're trying to help these people, but what they have is against the law. Hand over the boy and I promise you, I won't be mad. I'm trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" I repeated. "The only thing I need protecting from is you, Father! I saw what you tried to do to that baby! I was there and I saw the whole thing. You're a monster!"

Father inhaled sharply, like he didn't have time to deal with a tantrum, and then ignored me completely. "Officers, search the premises."

The policemen nodded, breaking off in several directions. I glanced at Alice, who stood between the living room and kitchen area. She nodded slightly once, her way of telling me Lincoln was safe.

"We're going to find that Negro boy and I'm not leaving this house until we do!" Father walked slowly to the bar stand near the staircase, opening a bottle of whiskey. He poured himself a glass, taking a sip and acting like he had all the time in the world.

"Charles, this has gone on long enough," Uncle James told him. "Go home, brother. You're not going to find anything or anyone here. It's over."

Father swallowed the last of his amber liquid, slamming the crystal glass back onto the stand. "It's over when I say it's over! You fucking disgust me! You're defending these … these coloreds? What are they to you? No one! I'm your family, James, and you're trying to turn everyone against me. My own daughter has fed into your lies and I'm sick of this bullshit!"

Carlisle opened his mouth and James waved his hand slightly, as if to tell him to not say anything. It would only spur my father on more, increasing the tension to heights none of us would be able to deescalate. Two officers came jogging down the stairs, shaking their heads. "It's clear, Mr. Swan."

The other three policemen appeared at the right side of the room, coming from the hallway that led to Uncle James' office. "No one here, either."

"I didn't check the kitchen," said the shortest officer, his belly protruding over his belt. Alice's eye went wide and she stood up straighter to guard the opening.

"Wait!" Jenks stepped forward feebly and the officers stopped in their tracks. "The boy ain't here. I sent him on his way."

"What?" My father turned to Jenks in confusion, as did the rest of us.

"Jenks, you don't have to —" Carlisle said, shaking his head.

"No, the boy is mine," Jenks lied, walking to my father. "He's my flesh and blood and I sent him north to my kin, where he would be safe. You ain't gonna find him here. He's long gone."

Father looked at him suspiciously, glancing around the room. "You're lying. Don't you cover up for these criminals, Jenks."

"I'm ain't Mister Charles. I'll prove it." Jenks dug into the interior of his breast pocket, pulling out a folded paper. He opened it slowly and I glanced over at the faded black and white photograph.

Father snatched it from him, staring at the picture and frowning. "What's this supposed to prove?"

"It's a picture of me and my beloved wife. We were much younger of course, but it's us. If you look closely, you'll see something around my neck."

Father squinted, holding the picture close to his face. "A necklace. So?" Father flung the photograph and Jenks caught it before it floated to the floor.

"It's the same one I'm sure you saw around the boy's neck when you hung him, Mister Charles. He's my son and I gave it to him when he was just a toddler. These fine folks were just watching him. So if anyone's to blame, it's me."

My eyes widened and my thoughts traveled back to the day when Mother first took me to the thrift store. I remembered what Nessie had said.

"This was donated by an older fellow a few years back," Nessie explained. "It's in very good condition and it's actually made of silver. It was a gift from his wife and after she passed, he couldn't bear to hold on to it any longer."

The skunk necklace I gave to Lincoln originally belonged to Jenks?

Jenks winked at me as a tear escaped from my eye. I couldn't believe that after all that had happened, the present I'd given to represent protection came from the man who was protecting Lincoln now. I couldn't wrap my head around it and I trembled as Jenks stood bravely in front of Father.

"You think I believe this lie?" Father asked incredulously.

"It's true," Jenks said. "I may be old, but I do believe you understand the concept of biology, do you not, Mister Charles? I conceived that boy with a white woman after my wife passed away. She went back to Georgia, ashamed of his birth, and I've had friends take care of him ever since."

The room was stunned into silence and Father cleared his throat. "Very well then. Officers, arrest this Negro!"

Esme gasped and Carlisle wrapped an arm around her. A glance passed between Carlisle and Jenks, but Jenks nodded. "I'm doing the right thing. I'm up in my years now, anyhow. 'Bout time something exciting happened to me besides serving drinks to white folks."

Jenks laughed to himself and an officer cuffed him, twisting his hands behind his back. "You are under arrest for the prohibited conception of a biracial child, concealing the child, and assisting in the escape of an illegal criminal. You have the right to remain silent …"

"Jenks!" I cried out, running and wrapping my arms around him. I held on to him tightly and he just smiled.

"What did I tell you about all that cryin', Miss Scarlett? You keep lovin' child, just like I told you. Keep lovin' and the rest will take care of itself."

I nodded, sniffling and wiping my nose with the back of my hand. "I will, I promise."

"Our work here is done," Father announced proudly. "James, I hope to see you for dinner soon."

"You'll pay for this," Uncle James growled. "When coloreds are as free as you and I, you will reap what you sow, brother!"

Father laughed, gloating in his victory. "In your dreams. Scarlett, I will tell your mother to expect you back in a week's time. Enjoy your stay."

The police led Jenks out, but not before Esme and Carlisle gave him a hug. Jenks whispered something in Carlisle's ear, and Carlisle nodded in understanding.

"Wait!" I hollered, running to Jenks. "Your name. You said you'd tell me your name when we didn't have silk and silver platters between us."

Jenks smiled. "You already know, Miss Scarlett. Find it on your heart."

I frowned, confused by his riddle, but I didn't have a chance to respond. The officers jerked him around, nearly shoving him out of the house. Uncle James waited until they left, then he slammed the door shut and Esme collapsed into the nearest chair.

"What have we done?" she wept. "He was innocent! He'll get the death penalty!"

Carlisle kneeled beside her. "You heard what he said, honey. We'll keep fighting and when we do, we'll get him out in no time."

I ran to the kitchen as Esme wept, opening the cabinet to find Lincoln balled underneath the sink. I reached out my hand to assist him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Is it clear?"

"They're gone," I told him. "But they arrested Jenks. He said you were his son and he sent you north. They won't be back, but now Jenks will be in jail!"

Lincoln appeared shocked and devastated at the same time. "I should have come out! It's not his fault!"

Before he could have a panic attack, I shook my head. "He wanted to do it. I tried to stop him, but he wanted to do this."

Lincoln swallowed, overwhelmed by Jenks' sacrifice. The silver necklace gleamed around his neck and I immediately reached around him, unclasping it in the back.

"What are you doing?" Lincoln asked.

I didn't respond and fumbled with the skunk pendant. I ran my thumb over the etched line, touching the tip of the animal's tail. Digging my nail into the silver, I popped it open, revealing an empty crevice on the right side. But on the left the surface was smooth and had a simple word engraved in cursive, with a star carved over the letters.

Jacob.

His name was Jacob Jenks, born underneath the North Star.

This time I couldn't hold back and I clutched the necklace in my hand, weeping uncontrollably.

.

.

.

Over the next few days we meditated on Jenks in our hearts, but coordinated for change with our hands. The phone constantly rang and Uncle James rallied together peers he could trust. The house was filled with citizens of all colors as we prepared for our trip to Washington in two weeks. Alice, Jasper, and Jessie were in charge of making signs. James called his lawyer friends to come over to discuss Jenks' release with Esme and Carlisle. Victoria kept everyone fed with appetizers and refilled drinks as necessary.

Uncle James and Carlisle also coordinated the Nonviolent Integrated Committee (NIC) with several men. Together they flipped through legislation books and took notes. They focused on organizing ways to improve the state law regarding interracial marriage and the rights of all biracial persons being born. On a typewriter, they wrote page after page of why the barriers of such laws should be unconstitutional. Lincoln and I took turns writing briefings and heaving large books back and forth between the adults.

On Thursday at noon, Esme handed Lincoln and I each a glass of sweet tea as we sat on the floor of the living room. She kneeled down between us in the hectic room and smiled at the rough drafts of memos. "Why don't you two take a break? You've been going nonstop!"

"Can't Ma," Lincoln replied, not even looking up. "I'm writing a mission statement on NIC so the Senate will take us seriously."

"And I have the pivotal role of switching pens as he throws them across the room," I added.

Esme laughed, kissing both of us on our temples. "It wasn't a suggestion, it was an order. Up you two. Now."

Lincoln whined, but stretched his legs and stood up with his drink in hand. I did the same and Esme shooed us outside so we could relax away from the chaos. We sat on Uncle James' porch sipping our tea and Lincoln sighed.

"This feels good," he murmured.

"Our break?" I asked, soaking up the sun's rays.

Lincoln chuckled, shaking his head. "That too, I guess, but I meant all of this. We're doing something, not just talking about it. We aren't running or hiding; we're facing this head on. It's been long overdue and I have your uncle to thank for it."

I knew Uncle James would be proud to hear him say that, but also humbled by Lincoln's compliment. "He's just doing what's right and trust me, he's happy to help. He knows all the big-wigs in Alabama and with their assistance, I'm sure something's going to come of all our hard work."

Lincoln nodded in agreement. "Me too. Hey, have you called home yet?"

I winced, knowing he would ask. "No, and I'm not going home this weekend. If Father thinks I'm going to live under his roof, he's wrong. Uncle James said I could stay here as long as I like and I intend to stay for a while."

I thought Lincoln would be happy but he froze mid-sip and stared. "Wait, you're not going back to Birmingham?"

"Why should I?" I shrugged nonchalantly. "Father is delusional and Mother just does everything he tells her to. I'm happier here."

"Scarlett, you'll be an hour away," Lincoln said, stating the obvious. "I'll never see you."

My heart sunk in my chest. Despite my good intentions, I'd never thought of that. He was right; we wouldn't see each other and Carlisle and Esme didn't have enough money to travel back and forth just to visit. Uncle James would be busy and I couldn't ask Aunt Victoria to drive me to and from just to see him.

"We'll figure out something, okay?" I told him softly. "Maybe eventually I will return home, but until then, we'll make it work."

I didn't know how but a promise was a promise. If color couldn't keep us apart, I knew distance wouldn't be a factor either. Lincoln and I were meant to be together and we would do whatever it took to make our relationship last.

"Don't look so sad," I said, leaning against him and running my fingers through his curls. I liked his hair like this, when he was free to be who he was without hiding. It was as much a part of him as he was a part of me.

"I'm not," he said quietly. "I'm just thinking."

He took my hand in his, spinning the linked ring around my finger. He rolled it over and over with his thumb, musing unknown thoughts to himself.

"About what?"

Lincoln grinned and his sudden change of attitude scared the living daylights out of me. "Your favorite color's pink, right?"

"It used to be," I answered, smiling. "I'm beginning to think I like yellow more."

Lincoln laughed, throwing his head back and his Adam's apple bounced up and down in his throat. He squeezed the sides of my stomach and I shrieked, jumping up and running across the yard. He followed after me, and his long legs helped him catch up soon after. He caught me and spun me around, and we fell to the ground in a heap.

He leaned forward to kiss me when Carlisle yelled from the porch, "Victoria says it's time for lunch. Come in!"

"Yeah!" Jessica yelled beside him, one arm wrapped around Carlisle's leg. "Pa said to come in!"

Lincoln gave me a peck on my lips and we both stood up, dusting our clothes and running back to the porch. "He's not your pa, Jessica. He's mine."

Jessica's bottom lip quivered and she glanced up at Carlisle, her poor little soul crumbling beneath her. "Can you be my pa too?"

Carlisle reached down and with strong arms, lifted my chubby cousin up. "I don't see why not. Although to be an honorary Masen, you've got to eat like a horse."

Jessica beamed, nodding her head, and her pigtails swung around her. "I can do that! I eat everything. I haven't eaten horse before, but I bet I'll like it a lot."

Carlisle laughed so loud I swore all of Alabama heard him, and maybe Mississippi too. His chest rumbled as he held Jessica. "Then I'll be your pa."

Hand in hand, we walked back inside to eat lunch. Jessica asked Victoria if she made horse sandwiches for lunch and wailed when my aunt told her no. Lincoln wouldn't stop touching the ring on my finger and James discussed plans for all of us to visit Jenks in jail.

As Victoria cleared the dining room table, big-mouthed Alice had the grand idea of announcing the loss of my virginity to everyone.

My aunt and uncle took it in stride, not even batting their eyes. I didn't even mind Jasper laughing, but when Esme burst into tears and yelled that her son was a heathen, it was then that I wondered if going back to Birmingham wasn't such a bad idea.