The
note was written in a scrawl
12)
Abagail and the Blacktown murders
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River Boy had a girlfriend in Blacktown, Miss Abagail Washington.
She was an honest church-going girl when she wasn't drunk and yelling
in the street.
She had a young daughter and lived with her mama.
Her mama was important around town.
Folks called her Mons.
That wasn't her real name, but it's what they called her.
Mons
was a robust healthy lady who sat on her porch at night smoking
cigarettes defying death and figuring not much to live for except her
daughter and granddaughter. Not after her son ran off to Memphis.
Good ole Mons. Abagail loved her mama.
First time River Boy noticed Abagail she was working in the garden
at the side of the house.
He was 15 and she was older, 18 maybe. She was flatter than a bent fork but
everything showed through that sweated brown shirt.
She saw him staring and said, whatzamatter, you lose a chipmunk?
He laughed and said, wanna go swimming?
You're too young, ask me tomorrow.
She went back to work. He left.
Next day, Abagail was in the side yard again.
River Boy walked up and leaned on the fence and said, well you want to go
swimming?
Mons came out on the front porch saying, what you want white boy? Then
recognizing River Boy before laughing.
River Boy hardly looked at mama for the beauty of Abagail.
I'm gonna take her swimming, he said.
Mons sung a little tune, ♫♪ she not going witda foool like you.
An equal rhyme popped into River Boy's head, ♫♪ she won't know if she
don't go.
Mons laughed and said, what she needa know bout skinny little white
boy? Ha ha.
Abagail couldn't help but smile.
She said OK I'll go.
River Boy had a favorite spot downriver from Blacktown.
There
was a big tree that stood against the current for more than a century.
Floods tried to push it aside but it was anchored in the
bedrock. The river could only muster a deeper hole next to the roots
where a small forest creek came down from the hillside and fed into the
beautiful freshwater pool.
The water was cool and branches hung low shielding it from the eyes of
passing boats.
Sitting there sometimes, River Boy could feel down the center of the
world.
The spot was about a mile away.
Abagail
thought they were going to follow the path straight down to the river
except River Boy was going through the brush. There was no path.
She said where you going?
He said it's beautiful, it'll match your eyes.
Oh well, the gardening was done and it was hot, so she followed along,
hoping he wasn't planning to kill her.
The
land got rough with the hew of the old river banks carved in graceful
curves around the meandering creek that fed in from the north. When
they started down the steep bank he tried to help her across a cluster
of roots. She straightened him out quick, I know how to walk.
Yeah she did, and it looked fine.
Climbing
down into the last crevice and around a large moss-covered rock, the
pool came into view. Another climb down past a rock slide and a bit
further and they stood among the aged trees on the river valley floor.
A big bass splashed the water.
River Boy took off his shirt,
climbed down the last few feet and jumped in. When he turned around,
Abagail was standing above him naked. She was a taut beauty knotted
with muscle and shape. He was more taken than when they first met.
She dove off the rock and came up near River Boy before teasing away,
lost in her own thoughts.
Maybe she was.
It didn't take her long to catch him. He pulled her to the edge
where they kissed.
She laughed, pushed him away and climbed out.
He
slipped trying to climb up behind her and fell back in the water. She
reached down to help him. He tried to pull her in, but that farm girl
was too strong.
She was gloriously brown. Her black hair wet and kinky and soft, her
body fresh and clean in the hot summer air.
They
went over to a smooth stone outcrop. A cool wind pushed up bumps on
her skin, and the texture of that body under his hand was like toast
and jam on a hungry morning.
He finished quick.
They went swimming again, climbed out and returned to the stone to
enamor another charge, this time lasting longer.
She was beautifully wet with streaks of white across her brown skin,
laying there feeling the warmth of the day.
A
few minutes passed before she wrapped herself around him in the quiet.
River Boy, never dreamed that love could offer such comfort.
Half hour later they walked back to Blacktown without talking.
She was not full of games and foolery like River Boy.
She wanted to do better in life ... when she was sober.
After
a while she ducked under the low branches of a crab apple tree. They
rolled a soft spot in the tall dry grass and sat down. She told him about her
brother.
It was the same story all over the south.
She said, my brother ran away to Memphis. He broke a plow. He and his
friend had to run, otherwise they would beat him.
Top Hat gave them money for the bus.
Mama
needs me but I want to go to Memphis with my brother. His letters tell
me about it. They got music and books. And a newspaper. I can read good
and want to go to school.
River Boy said, you used to come to school.
Abagail said, I can't let them know. I have to act stupid. That's why I
don't go anymore.
Mama says I can work as a housegirl in Trinity.
River Boy asked, what about your daughter? He usually didn't pry what people
might not want to tell, but Abagail felt special.
See that's why I want to go to Memphis. So my daughter has a chance.
But I can't leave 'cause mama be gone when I come back.
River Boy said, maybe she can go too.
No, my brother says no. Abagail started crying.
River Boy walked home that night, struck sorrowful by the hurt he
shared with Abagail.
They continued on with each other.
Over
the next couple years, Abagail was spending more time at Top Hat's and
started hustling for some of the men, delivering alcohol and favors in
exchange for a tiny corner of the world where she could survive without
becoming some white lady's servant.
Time wore away at Abagail's luster and River Boy rarely saw her any
more, especially now that Maggie was in his life.
Two nights after River Boy tried to save Joddie at Crooks Tail, the
world would turn violent and intervene into Abagail's wish.
That night River Boy took a long walk into Trinity.
The night holds secrets from the day and River Boy's solace came
between those cracks in the light.
Coming
back from Trinity, he walked the road to Blacktown. It was twice as
long going that way, but easier instead of crossing the fields in the
dark. Besides the
guys would still be playing at Top Hats.
It was a pleasant moment
dreaming of his time with Maggie and keeping his balance across the
ruts, using the sliver moon as his light, passing under the oak branches along the stone wall next
to the old Miller Barn and downhill to Blacktown. He could see a couple
lights ahead at the old farmhouse.
The faint smell of early fall crept across the damp night.
Another quick mile and he was in Blacktown.
The
little town of run-down shotgun houses and storefronts felt different.
There were no lamps burning, except at Top Hats. The men weren't standing
around the street.
That caused an alarm.
River Boy grew wary and stepped
away quickly, checking behind him and wishing he could see further down
the road. It was okay but he stayed close to the side, constantly looking around, momentarily stopping to use his ears
for a sound that somebody was nearby.
Reaching the last few houses at the end of town he started feeling
better.
He saw the outline of Abagail's house. He could see the red glow of
Mon's home-rolled herb-and-tobacco on the porch.
River Boy usually spoke to her, but not tonight. It didn't seem right
for some reason.
Out of the darkness, Mons said, there's evil about tonight, Mayor.
He spoke back softly, no, it's River Boy.
What you think, I don't know how you smell after a day of sex with miss
white girl?
River Boy laughed. Mons had such a lovely touch with words.
She said, go home. It's bad night. They after you too.
Who?
There was nothing. All he saw was the end of Mons' cigarette draw
brighter for a moment.
River Boy picked up his pace, his mind racing, figuring he'd
better move off the road into the field.
Cutting out across the field in darkness was liable to end up on
the horn of a bull.
He
got to the old cemetery with barely a moon to see behind the shadows. There were not
many upright stones but the neglect offered plenty of bushes and tall grass to hide behind.
River Boy crept back close to the road and waited to see if anybody was
following him. It was dead. No noise. No music. Not even the hoodoo man howling a tune.
River Boy's nerves were pressed, but he had to get moving. The shack was about 3/4 mile.
By the time he got home, the fear washed off and he didn't wake Grandpa.
Hour later, both woke up to a start. Somebody was outside
screaming.
River Boy whispered to Grandpa, stay down. I'll check if the back is
clear.
They climbed out the window and hustled close to the ground on the way
over to the nearest stand of trees.
The voice kept screaming,
River Boy, River Boy.
Wait, that's Abagail.
Grandpa was mad, that damn girl is drunk and out here bothering us? What the hell
da-matter with her?
River Boy said, let me check.
Abagail was half naked and jumping around screaming. They killed em,
they killed em.
River Boy gave her a shirt.
Grandpa came in out of the dark, lit a candle and said you can't stay here.
River Boy motioned for Grandpa to wait.
What's going on?
Spade killed Molly and Arkadelphia.
Wait, say it again...
Spade is crazy. He killed Molly and Arkadelphia.
When?
Tonight.
Where?
At the billiard hall. They just started shooting, then Molly and I ran out.
Is he still there?
I don't know. I think they got out.
They started shooting at Top Hat?
Yeah, he tried to kill Top Hat.
Is Top Hat dead?
I don't know.
They killed Billy. Spade fell down when they started shooting back.
So we got up and ran.
I got out and then Spade killed Molly.
She was ahead of me and I fell on top.
Wait, what happened?
Spade and Billy came in and started shooting.
They killed Arkadelphia when Top Hat ducked.
How do you know he's dead?
Cause his head is open, continuing to scream.
Then what happened?
Those guys started shooting back.
Who?
Top Hat and Tony Mute.
They killed Billy. But Spade ducked down.
Top Hat and those men ran out the back so Molly and I ran out the front
but Spade shot Molly.
I ran here to get away.
Grandpa said, damn you girl. They'll come here next.
River Boy said, we better leave.
Grandpa said, I'm not leaving. If he comes here I'll put a hook in him
and drag him down the river and drown him.
River Boy said, wait, was there any shooting after Spade shot Molly?
I don't think so.
Well if Top Hat went out the back, and Spade had more guys, then they'd
be waiting out back and there'd be more shooting.
Grandpa added. Top Hat wouldn't run out without checking. They couldn't
get him that way.
Well if Top Hat got out, then Spade is alone. He'll be hiding. He won't
come here.
River Boy asked, was there a fire?
What do you mean?
Did anyone set a fire?
I didn't see any.
If
Top Hat was surrounded, they might set the place on fire to get him
out. Besides why would just two guys bust in the front and start
shooting? If Spade had a bunch of guys, then more than two would've
gone in the front.
Grandpa sat down and said, yeah well if they had more than
two, they would send in a couple guys to sit there before the other
guys came in shooting.
River Boy said, that means Spade's alone and probably hiding in the
dark around town. How long ago did it happen?
Couple hours I guess.
River
Boy said, that's about the time I walked through Blacktown. So
why you run out here without a shirt if it happen two hours ago?
I
was hiding. I fell on top of Molly and she got blood on me. She
grabbed me and tore my shirt when I got up. Then I ran
away.
Molly is alive?
No. Blood was squirting out. That's why I ran here. I can't go back.
But your mama was sitting on the porch like nothing happened.
She don't care.
Where's your daughter?
With mama.
River Boy said, look, if Spade's is alone, he's not coming here tonight.
Grandpa said, doesn't matter, she's not staying.
River
Boy had to take Abagail somewhere else, she couldn't be there if
somebody came up the road. And Grandpa didn't want her around. It was
his house. He deserved peace.
Abagail and River Boy started down the road. Look where's your
daughter?
With mama. I told you.
Ok. Ok.
Grandpa called for River Boy to come back. Then whispered, I got
some money.
Enough for the bus you think? We could get her up to Memphis with her
brother.
Probably.
River Boy said, Spade was careless and killing Arkadelphia was stupid. He makes money for Johnson and Green.
Grandpa said, how you know all that?
River Boy never mentioned that he worked for Top Hat.
You
been carrying money for Top Hat? What the hell you
thinking? That's why you go to school, to get smarter than those
dumbasses. Now they'll be trying to kill you too.
Grandpa was disappointed. They'll be killing everyone. And if those
guys don't do it, the Klan will.
River Boy said, well I'm not leaving.
Yeah, but If you stay, they'll come for you.
They won't. That'll be too much.
Well, I probably got enough for bus rides.
River Boy said, I can't leave. I'll get her out and we'll see what happens.
River Boy and Abagail spent the night at her mama’s house in Blacktown,
sneaking out with the daughter just before daylight.
They made it to the Greyhound station in Trinity and bought two tickets
for the 10:15 to Memphis.
Abagail
was leaving with nothing except her daughter, a box of clothes and her
brother's address. She was low hearted but happy to get out.
I'll tell mama where you've gone.
Abagail said, she knows.
The
busman tied the box of clothes with twine. Abagail and her
daughter boarded and walked to the back. The Negro section
was full so they braced themselves to stand against one of the seats for the
long ride ahead.
River Boy watched Abagail's eyes grow small and disappear as the bus
drove away.
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