“So you and Tilly were lovers?”
“Not really. It was a game, like I said. I thought she was just having fun, but she took it wrong.”
“Kind of like Josie took it wrong?”
“No. Look, I’m trying to learn how to be a man. A man like my dad and you. I want to be a good man, a kind man. And I want to find a good woman.”
“A good man does not look at interactions with a woman as a game, Capp.” James put down his fork and looked at Capp. “I think it’s safe to say you have not been good for either Josie or Tilly.”
“Good for Josie and Tilly? I didn’t love them.”
“I see,” James said as he stood to retrieve a letter from the side table. “This came for you, Capp. It’s from Tilly.”
Capp swallowed hard as he reached for the letter and opened it. He read it out loud.
Dear Capp,
I have married Martin Garner. He asked me four times and I finally said yes. You remember him. He and I are perfect for each other. He is handsome and rich. My parents are happy cause Martin is a Garner. His daddy may lease our ranch and Martin and I will live here with my parents. I’ll have my horse farm after all.
Tilly
“Ain’t that great?”
“Maybe,” said James with a hint of caution.
“I get it now. I’m getting smarter about girls.” Capp felt almost giddy, so happy about the revelation that Tilly was married.
James smiled and said, “I’m glad to hear it. You’ll find a nice girl one day, one that you can respect and love.”
“Maybe I already have,” said Capp as he stood to leave.
“Maizie?”
Capp nodded.
“What makes you think you’d be good for Maizie?”
“She’s different. I want to protect her. I thought I liked her like a sister, but when I saw her in Louisville, everything changed.”
“In what way?”
“She looked so beautiful and sweet. We talked. She’s more grown-up. More interesting. A woman I think I could love.”
“You think? Capp, Mary and I have discussed your relationship with Maizie. We disagree about some things, but one thing we agree on is that you are young, and young people make mistakes.”
Capp pushed his plate to the side. “I know, but that doesn’t change how I feel.
“I’ll be honest, Mary has some real concerns with you being with Maizie. She feels responsible for her, you understand?”
“I do. Would you trust me to see Maizie, to court her? I won’t hurt her, I promise. We have been having fun. Just talking. Like friends.”
“Mary worries that you’ll take advantage of her. She worries you’ll compromise both your futures. And I admit, knowing some of your history, I fear she may be right.”
“But I respect her. I’d never—”
“I hope that’s true.” James, his eyes deep with sympathy, looked at Capp. “But you and Maizie… well, it’s complicated.”
“I don’t understand. What’s complicated about wanting to protect, respect, and maybe love someone?”
“Frankly, Maizie is colored and you’re white. A relationship with her is taboo. I know it isn’t right, Capp, but society has a way of making your love for her wrong. You know you couldn’t legally be with her and marry her. We don’t want you or her to get hurt. So take it easy, Capp. Hear what I’m saying?”
A genuine sadness came over Capp’s face. James knew Capp had heard the words but wasn’t sure he understood the gravity of the situation.
Chapter 85
Maizie’s Diary
January 10, 1933
James has invited Capp to come to the ranch house any evening he wants for a cup of tea. James and Capp talk about horses. Mary is pretty quiet unless we are talking about stuff like education. I can tell that Capp likes to come. The only thing he won’t talk about is Josie. I go and read to her. We are friends. She is the first girlfriend I ever had. We’re only two years apart in age. Josie lied to Mary about her age too. She was eighteen when she started here at Glidewell.
Meadowlark is back home. I’m so happy. He says that his blues, jazz, all of it, is taking hold and if he works hard maybe he can make it big. He even made a little money in St. Louis. Guess the times are better there for some reason. He says musicians actually get paid real money there.
He is so happy to be back to Glidewell. He said he cried when he saw our thorny fence. Something about it, he said. The way it protects all of us inside, allows us to be free and be who we are. I think I know what he means.
Bonne nuit, mon ami,
Maizie Sunday Freedman
Chapter 86
The Unexpected
February 1933
Chief Jack was up earlier than usual checking on the thoroughbred barn. The temperature was in the mid-thirties. Having left his gloves in the quarter-horse barn he blew air into his clenched hands to warm them. Looking after thoroughbreds wasn’t his usual duty, but he liked doing it. He liked these horses, different in body and spirit from the quarter horses that he loved and knew so well. The groom on duty that night stirred and stretched on his pallet of hay as the chief quietly made his rounds. He couldn’t help but notice that the mare, the barren one, was slightly agitated, pawing at the ground. He knew Damkins was a good mare, well dispositioned with improving conformation. She had put on some weight and muscle since she was purchased last spring. Her stark and troubling thinness was not evident.
Wil was on the rail at the finish line when the chief arrived at the track with Damkins on a lead. He noticed Capp, Tommy, Ernesto, and Alvaro running horses down the backstretch. Remaining quiet, he returned his gaze to the horses that were nearing the last bend. Capp was on the gray dapple, in fourth position. Capp let up on his hold and the horse felt the release from the restraint and took off, easily passing
