Maizie took a bite from her sandwich and chewed slowly. “I went to the colored public school, Douglas Elementary, in Springfield.”
“Why’d you go to a colored school?”
Maizie was silent for a moment. “Why? You think I’m not colored?”
“You got blue eyes and really light brown skin, the kind of skin you get from working outside. Wouldn’t matter if you are colored, but you don’t look it.”
“My mama said I’m the color I was meant to be. My dad was mixed too.”
“I’d say your mama was right.” Capp took another bite of ham sandwich. “Sugar cared for me when my mother left. No mistaking she was colored. But it didn’t matter. She did a real good job raisin’ me. Boy, Sugar could make me laugh. I think I learned to smile real big ’cause of her. My dad named a beautiful little quarter horse after her. Named it Brown Sugar. Why, Sugar loved havin’ a horse named after her. She got to likin’ horses. Dad even had her ridin’ that quarter horse. Yep she was good, our Sugar. Dad says maybe she can come to Glidewell one day and work here.”
“Thelma wouldn’t have it. I can tell. She doesn’t like me at all.”
“Dad and I don’t pay no mind to Thelma. People like Thelma are afraid and ignorant is all.”
Maizie looked at Capp and cocked her head.
“What happened to your dad? He run away like my mom?”
“No, he’s dead.” And that is all Maizie said. The two were quiet as they finished their lunch.
“Let’s walk the horses to get some water, look around a bit.” Capp tied the saddlebags back on his saddle. “One day I came up here and found a squatter livin’ here. He was a nice old man, down on his luck, brought him back to the backside and he’s been livin’ and workin’ there ever since. Jeb’s his name. He is a fine horse trainer. Has a way with the beasts. Sure knows his way around the property. Dad gave him a leg up and he took it and did well with it.”
“That’s nice, takin’ folks in? Mama and I had some of that—folks takin’ us in.”
The two walked farther and Capp pointed to a lovely open space filled with wildflowers and an old oak tree. “Look over there. Del Henny’s cabin and barn were built in that open field but a lightning strike got it during a storm. The whole thing burned to the ground about ten years ago.”
“Pretty field of wildflowers. I see why he settled there.”
“Yes, bluebells, Virginia bluebells. Jeb told me if you close your eyes you can hear them ring.” Maizie smiled. She closed her eyes and listened.
“You hear them?” Capp asked.
“No, but I’d like to believe it. Sounds so nice.”
Returning to the horses, Capp helped Maizie onto Breezy’s saddle. “You ready to trot her a bit? The artesian spring is on the other side of the castle, cool fresh water. The horses can lap at it where the water bubbles up from deep in the earth. It’s a beautiful thing.”
When Maizie gave Breezy a heel tap and a “giddy up,” the mare began her trot. Maizie, caught off guard, was thrown back. She tightened her grip on the horn, let out a yelp, then quickly regained her balance. Capp turned. “Hold tight. You got it?” Maizie breathed deeply and nodded.
As they arrived at the spring, the horses pulled on the reins and lowered their heads to take in the pure, cool water. When the horses had had enough, Capp pulled Running Wild’s head from the water and turned for home. Maizie did the same and followed close behind, holding tight to the horn. No words were spoken.
Chapter 10
Maizie’s Diary
May 16, 1931
I sure am tired and sore tonight. I went for a trail ride with Capp. We went into the hills and I never felt so peaceful in my life. There was crystal clear water, deep blue and frothy, gurgling up from under the ground. Trees grew all around and wildflowers too. It seemed like heaven. Maybe that’s ’cause Capp was there. He was really nice. I never had a friend like Capp before. Now this is a secret. He hugged me. It was so nice. I could have stayed in his arms all day. My heart was pounding so fast and my hands were shaking. I don’t think he noticed, but then he smiled and let go. He seems real handsome to me. I love his curls. I told Capp about going to colored school. That kind of thing don’t bother him much.
Mrs. Glidewell asked me about my trail ride. I told her it was the most fun I ever had. She smiled and gave me a hug. Took me by surprise, her hugging me. I’m getting all kinds of hugs around here. She said that Mr. Glidewell thinks I should take riding lessons down at the backside. Maybe one a week. She didn’t say who would be my teacher. Maybe Capp could be my teacher? I didn’t ask. I want to keep thinking it will be Capp.
I’m learning French! Leon and Philippe are my teachers.
Bonne nuit, mon ami (that’s French for “Good night, my friend”).
Maizie Sunday Freedman
Chapter 11
Stall Twenty
Josie was not a pretty girl. It wasn’t that her face was ugly or disfigured or that she had a large nose or a weak chin. Josie had no beauty shining from within. The kind of beauty you earn by good deeds and kind words. She rarely smiled and when she did, it was not an infectious smile, but rather a smile that communicated a lack of virtue.
Josie had worked at the Glidewell Ranch for only six months before Maizie arrived. She was employed by Mary to serve as one of two maids who kept the bunkhouses and lavatories clean and tidy. The job wasn’t bad but didn’t foster a great deal of regard from others. The maids enjoyed little status at the backside. Men
