“I know you. How old are you now, Skip?”
“Nineteen, Mrs. Garner. Been here since I was fifteen.”
“I’m Miss Coombs again, but you’re something. Not many last that long. You must be good, honey.”
“I am. Bob tells me if I improve my riding skills, I can start working out the thoroughbreds.”
“Now isn’t that wonderful. Skip, I hear there is a potential Derby winner in this barn.”
“Well there are a few, but a horse called Glory Be looks the best. He leaves in a few days for Arkansas. He’s right over there in stall nine.” Skip pointed toward the stall, but his eyes were on Tilly.
“He a Glidewell horse?”
“Sure is. That horse is the talk of the backside.”
“Interesting. I’ll take a look. Don’t tell anyone I was here. There is someone I want to surprise. It would ruin it, if he knew I was here.”
“Who?”
“Can’t say. It’s a secret. You understand, don’t you Skip? It’s for fun.” He watched Tilly as she walked slowly to stall number nine and looked in on Glory Be. The horse’s rear was positioned toward the stall gate, his head down feeding on fresh hay. She attempted to call him, but the horse wouldn’t turn and face her. She turned to leave, walked up to Skip, kissed him on the lips, and said, “Now, don’t tell anyone I was here. We could have a little fun, you and I, if you can keep a secret.”
He nodded, but the moment Tilly was gone, Skip turned and went to find Bob and passed on what information he had.
Chapter 99
Discomforting News
Maizie was in the final rehearsals for her performance as the female lead in Girl Crazy, a musical review. The collegiate presentation of the 1930 musical was well cast and rehearsed. James Glidewell purchased tickets for many at the backside and ranch house so that they could attend the opening. Angered to learn that Ol’ Jon, Meadowlark and Sugar would be seated in the back-row, seats reserved for the colored, Mary asked James to intervene. He called the college officials to attempt to be granted an exception. After all he was allowing a few of the horses to be used onstage, but no exception was extended. “Sorry, Mr. Glidewell, you know segregation is the law. They’ll have to sit in the back. They are lucky they can attend at all.”
Dressing in their finest clothes, the theatergoers gathered in the ranch house for a light dinner and champagne. At precisely 7:20 p.m., four hired cars parked in front to pick up sixteen Glidewell employees, including Josie, and take them to the review. Most had never been to a musical before and were excited to watch Maizie perform. Leon drove Mary, James, and Philippe in the Packard. The few that were delegated to bring and handle the horses during the play had left an hour earlier.
Lining up outside the college auditorium, theatergoers stood with their umbrellas open. Clutching their tickets, the waiting crowd grew anxious to get out of the pouring rain. Finally the doors opened and the throng made its way into the lobby. The Glidewell horses and their handlers were behind the theater under the eaves, waiting for their cue. Each horse, decked out in western tack and an orange Glidewell horse blanket, waited calmly, grateful the thunder had subsided.
While James stood in line to purchase sodas for Mary and himself, the college president, Dr. Marcus Charing, tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to accompany him to the side for a brief conversation. As the two men engaged in what looked like an argument, theatergoers were finding their way to their seats.
Dr. Charing, his voice growing louder, said, “This is our policy. One board member brought this to my attention. We are meeting next week, and Maizie’s, should we say, problem, will be discussed and decided.”
“Dr. Charing, Maizie has been an asset to this school, a good student and one of your best music students. I see no reason why you and this one board member should make an issue of this now.”
“Now, now, Mr. Glidewell. We are proud of Maizie too. She is well liked by her teachers and other students. It’s just that this one board member feels she should be attending the colored college. He’s quite adamant about it. Been in my office many times.”
“You’d do this? You’d kick her out and prevent her from earning her degree? That’s absurd. Please tell me I’m jumping to conclusions here. And as my horses wait in the rain to participate in your show, you’d trouble us this way?”
“I’m afraid that—”
“This is absurd.”
“Sorry, but—”
“You are right about one thing. You have picked a horrible time to tell me this.”
“Well, perhaps you would consider paying more now, so that Maizie could receive her degree? I’m sure we could work something out.”
“What you’re suggesting is extortion. I can’t believe a man of your reputation would stoop this low. Listen, I’m a man of honor. I don’t pay out money to avoid an injustice. I can’t be blackmailed.” James’s brow was now deeply furrowed and the word “blackmailed” rang through the lobby.
“I’m certain when you calm down, you’ll better understand my predicament.”
“So tell me, this board member, what makes him think Maizie is colored?”
“He has a feeling is all. He says he has a sense about these things, and her last name, Freedman. It’s a colored name.”
“And this is what you come with to argue Maizie does not belong in this school. Someone on your board has a feeling? She has the wrong last name? Preposterous.”
“Look, I think a meeting is the best idea to figure this out,” said Charing.
“Excuse me sir, I came to see Maizie perform. My attorney will call you.” James moved away and looked for Mary. He saw her waiting for him anxiously near the auditorium entrance.
“James, come, the show is about to begin,” Mary called across the
