Chapter 72
Maizie’s Diary
May 5, 1932
I finally wrote a letter to Meadow’s friend in Vicksburg. I told him all about my mama and asked about my daddy. I liked my letter. I used my calligraphy to address the envelope and gave it to Leon to mail. He asked me if this was a friend of mine. I said I hoped so. He smiled.
I want a reply. It will help me understand who I am. Won’t it? I have changed so much since I came here. I know that, and that’s good. But I can’t help but wonder where a girl like me can go, if not here. I still worry about that. I’m scared.
Today James called and invited Mary and me to the Kentucky Derby. He wants to show us the horses and experience the race. We are staying at a big, fancy hotel. Mary said colored people are not allowed, but James would clear the way. He was going to say his wife and daughter would be staying with him. Imagine, we are going to pretend we’re a family. But pretending don’t make it so.
Bonne nuit, mon ami,
Maizie Sunday Freedman
P.S. Corky gave me a note today. It was from Rye Fulton. It said he needed to apologize. He said he wasn’t thinking straight when he saw me in the kitchen. He said he thought I was older. He hoped I would understand. Truth is, I don’t. My skin crawls when I think of him.
Chapter 73
Checking in
Mary and Maizie arrived on the train at the Louisville downtown station on the day before the Derby. James ran to greet them with hugs and kisses. Mary was dressed to the nines and Maizie sported a spring hat with her hair tucked under the hat’s brim, her blue eyes sparkling with anticipation. Arriving at the hotel lobby, James introduced the two women to the doorman as his wife and daughter. When they approached the registrar’s desk, James slid a twenty onto the counter. Smiling, the registrar picked up the bill and put it in his pocket. “Good afternoon, Mr. Glidewell. Looks like your family has arrived.”
“Indeed.” James looked warmly at Mary and Maizie.
“We had no two-bedroom suites, Mr. Glidewell. So we have moved a few guests around and your daughter will be staying directly across the hall from you.”
“That will be satisfactory,” James said. The registrar smiled, date-stamped the registration card and handed James the key to Maizie’s room. James reached to shake his hand. Lifting three suitcases, one tucked securely under his arm, James led Mary and Maizie to the elevator.
After settling into their respective rooms, Mary and Maizie freshened up for cocktails. In a half hour Maizie knocked on the Glidewells’ suite and James let her in. “You look lovely, Maizie. Join us. Hope your room meets with your approval.” James poured three glasses of whiskey.
“My room is nice. Never been to a hotel before.” Her excitement was not lost on James. Pouring her a glass of port, he motioned for her to sit.
“Glad you are here. I knew introducing you as my daughter would throw them off the scent. You passed for white.” Maizie looked at James confused. She never thought of herself as black or white—just slightly colored, the daughter of a white woman. The fact that it mattered made her feel a sense of shame.
“It doesn’t feel too good, thinking I don’t belong here.”
“Now, Maizie, you do belong here. It’s just that all this Jim Crow stuff has people so alert to skin color. It doesn’t matter to us and it shouldn’t matter to you. There will be no problems.”
Maizie looked down at her glass of port, wondering who she really was.
“Who are the glasses of whiskey for?” asked Mary as she came in from the bedroom.
“Can’t you guess?” James asked.
Maizie looked up from her negative thoughts. “The Wembleys?” she questioned.
“Yep. That’s right. They’ll be here in a minute.” James returned to his seat and began asking questions about the ranch and all the folks who worked there. Among other things, he’d heard that Jeb was still alive but in great pain.
“I think he’s waiting to see the thoroughbreds,” explained Mary. “Maizie and I have been visiting him daily, and when he’s awake, that’s all he talks about.” Suddenly there was a friendly knock on the door.
“Come on in!” James yelled. “The door’s unlocked.”
Pushing the door open, Wil and Capp entered, looking nice in their dinner apparel. No one had ever seen them so “gussied up.”
Chapter 74
Maizie’s Diary
May 6, 1932
It’s confusing to me. James seemed proud he fooled the hotel into thinking I belonged to him. It makes me wonder how all this will end. The older I get, the more confused I am about who I am.
I realized I was in love tonight. I saw Capp, in the flesh. The last time we were together it wasn’t good, but this time… well… it was different. I can’t describe how nervous I was. I just didn’t know what to expect. I’ve been thinking he could care less about me. My heart was pounding and when I saw him, I couldn’t find any words to say. I just stood by my chair. I felt awkward and like a fool. We were friends, weren’t we? Then it happened. Capp walked over to me and lifted me up off the ground. He gave me a big hug. It was so nice. He told me I was prettier than ever. I told him I couldn’t believe I was here in Kentucky. He said he was glad. He also said he was excited to get back to Glidewell. He had enough of Louisville for a while. Hope he meant Tilly too.
We all went to dinner in the hotel. It was a good dinner, but I didn’t eat much. I just
