Blaze of Courage

by Frances E. McGee-Cromartie

Staring out of the window into the darkness that spring night in 1978, I shivered. The "real" world was out there waiting for me. I had just graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C., with a political science degree, and had moved back home to Dayton, Ohio, for the summer before heading off to law school. I couldn't seem to stop worrying over what lay ahead. Had I made the right career choice? Would I like my courses? Would I do well?

With all the changes in my life, I was glad to be back in my hometown with Mama and her friends and Daddy and his business associates. As mayor of Dayton, Daddy was always at a meeting or taking a call from a concerned citizen. I knew his job wasn't easy and not just because he was the town's first African-American mayor. The economy wasn't doing well and businesses were deserting Dayton. Some people blamed Daddy. He never talked about his worries or his enemies, but sometimes after a long day of meetings, he'd enter the house singing, "I must tell Jesus, I cannot bear my burdens alone" as he hung up his coat and hat.

That night, he stayed in the den while Mama hosted her bridge club. The women who gathered each month loved to get together and chat over a few friendly hands. "You have big things ahead of you, Frances," one of the ladies told me. "Off to law school and then the sky's the limit!" I wished I could share her confidence in me. I looked forward to completing my education and having a satisfying career but right now the idea was a bit overwhelming.

The telephone rang. "I'll get it," I said, going into the kitchen. The caller was a businessman who asked for Daddy. I ran to the den to tell Daddy and he picked up the extension. Then I hung up the kitchen phone and as I passed the window over the kitchen sink, I glanced outside. In the darkness I thought I made out a car parked across our driveway.

Vaguely I was aware of some shuffling footsteps on the sidewalk. Was somebody out there?

I told myself.

The game ended with laughter and shouts of victory. "Didn't I say I had a good hand?" the winner teased. As the women shifted places for another game, I went to the kitchen to get the ice cream balls that Mama had made earlier for our guests. Glancing out the window, I could still see the shadowy outline of the car blocking the driveway. A chill ran down my spine.

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