The note was written in a scrawl

14) 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 smoked cigarettes all day, 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 he first saw her.

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 ... at least ways 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 and be 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. 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 dead 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 far 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 wide sliver moon as his light, passing under the oak branches along the stone wall next to the old Miller Barn and then 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.

That night, the little town of run-down shotgun houses and storefronts felt different. There were no lamps burning, even 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 farther 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, Mr 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 a 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. It was dead. No noise. No music. Not even the old hoodoo man.
River Boy's nerves were pressed, but he had to get moving. The shack was about 3/4 mile away.
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 got 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 took her inside, lit a candle and gave her a shirt.

Grandpa came in out of the dark, 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?
Who was shooting?
Spade. Spade and Billy.

Is Top Hat dead?
I don't know.
Top Hat and them shot back and killed Billy. Then Spade fell down.
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 shot back and 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, maybe 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, but Top Hat would see that. He knows what they doing.
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, well 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. That's when 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 is crazy and killing Arkadelphia was stupid because he makes money for Johnson and Green.
Grandpa said, how you know 'bout that?

River Boy never mentioned that he worked for Top Hat.
You been carrying money for Top Hat? What 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, Grandpa said shaking his head, 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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