15

The next day came and boy was I nervous. Mother told us to all dress casual for we never knew what happened at country parties. I remained in a casual beige dress and I left my hair down. I really didn't want to be out of the house because I knew everyone would be at this little party. Even the Bondurant boys. I was quiet all morning and now all evening. I was combing my hair to pass the time while my parents finished getting ready. I sat at my vanity mirror and just sighed a bit. I feel bad now for telling my family of my old family. I do not know why I was so sad today. I was two what two year old remembers such horrors. But then again I guess that was why my mother ran out to some bushes and told me not to move or make a single sound.

"Hey." a familiar voice called and I pushed the thoughts away and looked over to see Arliss in the doorway staring at me. "Everyone's getting in the car, you ready?"

I nodded and slowly got up and Arliss tilted his head down at me.

"Yeah I'm fine." I replied and moved towards the door and he just gave me the saddest face and it was like he saw right through me. He didn't move and he just stood there like he knew I was still in pain from the thoughts. He shook his head now.

"Eula…let it go." he said softly and I just trembled a bit and closed my eyes and felt more tears falling and he pulled me in for a tight hug and I cried again wrapping my arms under his and I cried silently into his shoulder and just buried my face into his chest. A part of me wanted to be in Forrest's arms but right now my brother's would do. We could hear the loud honking from outside and Arliss slowly pulled back and looked down at me wiping my tears away with his thumb. I knew that my family could only be a shield for so long until I had to face the world on my own. I dried my eyes and we moved back from my room and finally left the house. Everyone watched us get in the car and I sat in the middle of the boys and father drove on. It was quiet through the whole drive and I wasn't sure why.

"Who are the Newmons?" I asked finally breaking the heavy silence. Father lifted his head up, his cigar resting between his lips.

"He's a friend of mine I hunt with now and we sell the animals we get and split the profit. He has a wife and a daughter about your age Eula." he replied. I only nodded. "He owns a big barn and has agreed to let the town host the party near the barn. I heard a lot of people would be there."

"Oh well I just want to dance. It's been a long time since we've danced together Dohn." she told father resting her hand on his lap. He nodded his head once.

"Mhmm guess you'll have to teach me how to dance again." he said winking at her and we smiled a bit uncomfortably and looked away. As we grew closer to our destination we saw cars parked on the grass and people were dancing and talking in front of a large house. Food was being cooked and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Everyone was white and for some odd reason I felt like I wouldn't fit in here. We parked out car and dad placed his black fedora hat and we all began to exit the car.

The moment we stepped out people looked at us to see who else had showed up. It was very crowded but other than that everyone seemed nonchalant about my presence. We had lived here for a while, but I guess no one paid much attention to me.

"Dohn! Hey Dohn!" a round man called my father over to him and a bunch of other men. Dad smiled wide and moved over to him. In a row women called my mom away and workers who worked with my brothers called them away. Ray stopped and looked at me.

"Come with us?" he asked. I shook my head not wanting to embarrass them. I shook my head and stood by the car.

"Go." I replied. He looked down with guilty eyes and I knew he felt bad since I did not have white female friends. Sadly I did not make friends with the African Americans here either. Ever since word got out about my brothers feud with the Bondurant boys no one has really wanted to be my friend, but I had my brothers and…

"Eula?" a voice asked and I looked over to see Brandon coming over towards me with a smile. I was very shocked and I smiled as his arms opened and wrapped me up in his arm and I hugged him back smiling.

"Hey I thought you were leaving for Chicago today." I told. He smiled and shrugged.

"I heard there was a big get together and I haven't been to a party since I was a young boy. But now that you're here I think that things here will be a bit more interesting." he told. I blinked rapidly at his words and chuckled.

"I see. Well do you plan on leaving afterwards?" I asked. He crinkled his nose and shook his head.

"Nah maybe tomorrow since this won't end until night fall. You here with your family?" he countered. I nodded.

"I wouldn't be here without them." I replied and he chuckled a bit as if uncomfortably. I knew he knew my skin color was the reason I wouldn't come here alone. "Well I'm glad you're here."

He smiled warmly and nodded.

"I'm glad you're here too." he replied. The music grew louder and everyone started dancing around. "You wanna dance?" I tensed knowing that wasn't a good idea.

"That's frowned upon here. White and blacks aren't too intergraded here." I replied. He winced at my words and looked around and cleared his throat.

"Right. Well maybe we could...go somewhere without white eyes watching us." he suggested. My eyes flexed at his words and before I could even think of a reply I could see a truck coming out of the corner of my eyes and I looked over to see none other than the Bondurant boys pulling up. My chest tightened as I saw Forrest in the passenger's seat. I looked away not wanting to look at them but I couldn't help myself from looking back at them. Forrest moved out of the truck in a white buttoned up shirt and his brown vest and brown pants. His hat was perfectly fit on his head and a cigar was in his mouth.

"Eula?" Brandon asked and caught my attention and I looked up at him.

"Hm?" I asked. He bit his lip.

"Care to join me?" he asked opening his hand out to me. I looked at it not knowing what to do, but I was saved.

"Eula!" I heard Ray call my name and I looked over at him to see him waving me over with his head. It seems he saw the Bondurants and didn't want me near.

"Boyfriend?" Brandon asked and I whipped my head at him and shook my head.

"Brother." I replied and hugged him again.

"Hopefully I'll see you later before you leave to Chicago." I replied. He smiled and embraced me and nodded.

"Alright." he said and I grinned and left him moving back to my brother. I wondered what was going to happen, hopefully nothing.