An Elderberry Fall

Dear Reader:

We first introduced Ruth P. Watson with her debut novel,
Blackberry Days of Summer,
which conjures up images of
The Color Purple.
Now she returns with her poignant sequel,
An Elderberry Fall,
historical fiction set in the 1920s.

Carrie Parker, newly married to Simon, has moved to Richmond, Virginia, in contrast to her rural roots of Jefferson County. There she experiences motherhood with her son, Robert, while pursuing her dreams of becoming a teacher. Simon travels throughout the country playing baseball on colored teams aspiring to climb the ranks in the beloved sport. Carrie also finds her flirtatious neighbor, Nadine, a challenge as she adjusts to city life.

Mystery continues to surround the murder of Herman Camm, her stepfather, in this whodunit. Then suspense arises again when Willie, the husband of popular nightclub singer, Ms. Pearl, is shot and killed.

The novel is a tale of discovery, doubt and deceit written with the flavor of a bygone era. Follow the appealing cast of characters, and if you haven't read
Blackberry Days of Summer
, find out how it all starts with the excerpt included.

Thanks also for supporting the authors under Strebor Books. We truly appreciate the love. For more information on our titles, please visit
simonandschuster.com
.

Blessings,

Publisher

Strebor Books

www.simonandschuster.com

This novel is dedicated to the dreamers. It can be done. Stay faithful, my friends!

“To God be the glory for the things he has done.”

To all of my ancestors who've paved the way for me to live free, I thank you.

To the readers who purchased
Blackberry Days of Summer
and enjoyed it enough to request another book, I thank you.

To my future readers, I thank you.

My family and friends mean the world to me. I thank you for the love and support. And, to the book clubs and readers who were curious enough to crack open my book, your support is reason to keep writing.

Relax now and enjoy
An Elderberry Fall.

“A
Colored Man Found Dead”
was written in tall letters on the front page of the Clinch Valley newspaper.
The Richmond Planet
also mentioned the murder. “His frostbitten purple lips kissed the cold ground while the frigid wind whistled a solemn lullaby through the barren trees.”

In the article about his murder, the condition of the body was described in vivid detail. “Sticky blood splattered all around his lifeless body. His dark beady eyes were wide open and staring straight ahead. The undertaker put a copper penny over his eyelids to keep them closed.”

The news had the entire damn community reacting. The Baptist preacher was especially concerned; another soul had gone before he could lay hands on him and make the call to the Almighty to save his sinning soul. The rumors had been spawned. It had ignited a sick excitement of concern about Herman Camm's earthly departure. Everybody was talking. But, I didn't utter a word. I'd learned how to bury my feelings. The news of his death brought with it a certain air of peace, and for the first time in over a year, I felt relieved in the midst of confusion. As a wave of fear replaced the rattled nerves of the small farm community, the men folks checked their guns for ammunition, and others polished and sharpened
their weapons. As they searched their minds for whomever his killer could be, they rolled their eyes and gazed at each other, afraid they might be in the company of a real criminal. There was no pity in my heart for Herman Camm. I was somewhat relieved, even glad, but not gloating. Cheering was a sin. It was definitely my signal to leave town. Simon's letter arrived right on time.

“This is for you,” Momma said, and handed me the letter, folded, as if she was trying to hide it. I had been praying for a way out and when I read his note, I cried for joy, borrowed a suitcase from Aunt Ginny and headed to the train station.

O
n February 4th, 1921, I gulped a breath of fresh air before I took the last step down the train steps onto solid ground. The brisk wind caressed my skin, and alerted me to a new reality. “So this is Richmond, Virginia,” I said to myself, gazing around at the cobblestone sidewalks and cars. My six-month-old son, Robert, had his head resting on my shoulder as I struggled with my overloaded suitcase, straining every muscle in my body, but I could not have cared less. Who would have believed a young girl like me would be here—in the big city, with streetcars and tall buildings and with colored people strutting around in fine, fashionable outfits, like the kind white folk wore in Jefferson County on special occasions? The coloreds appeared proud, like they owned the town. It felt good, and I fought to slow my heart down from the rush of anxiety. It was certainly different here. Most of the folks I knew probably thought I would live forever in Jefferson County amongst the sour memories and shame from the child I bore out of wedlock. But I was not so ready to stay there. When Simon asked me to come to Richmond, Virginia, my real transformation began.

•  •  •

My child, Robert, is beautiful. He is almost flawless. Each day I study the ridges around his little fingers, waiting to see if his tan
color and fine features and that innocent, charismatic smile will remain. He favors me for the most part. However, there are times when his eyes seem dark and mysterious, and it sends chills throughout my body.

Robert, Simon and I live in a small apartment on the west side of Richmond—Jackson Heights, they call it. It's the colored section of town. It is a fine neighborhood, with shrubbery and flowers planted tastefully in front of well kept tenement houses and single-family row homes. Our place is a small, brick, two-story house with a cast-iron fence around it. Alongside the yard is an elderberry bush, which reminds me of the sweet jam Momma made in the fall. Most of the neighborhood residents are colored and oblivious to the surrounding communities. Everything seems to be within walking distance—the grocer, tailor, the cobbler, and the feed and seed store. The corner store has everything we need. Farmers are unloading crates of vegetables every day, and hanging inside are hams, and there is a meat counter where slices of select meat can be packaged. It is well stocked, and I am overwhelmed that I no longer have to work in a field with the hot sun beaming down on me. Simon has a rooster and two hens in the backyard, mainly for eggs. But, I can imagine them on the table stuffed with cornbread dressing.

We share our backyard with a couple downstairs. They are on the front porch every day sitting in a porch swing with wide smiles swept across their faces as if the stresses of life had floated past them even though they are different from others in the neighborhood. Most people stare transfixed by their difference. The lady is white, very pale, and the man is colored. Most feel their living together is a disgrace to everyone around them. It is alright with me because they seem happy. And from where I come from, happiness
is the center of life and satisfaction. The man is tall and very dark, almost as dark as a midnight sky. He is clean, somewhat handsome and solid in build. She is a petite lady of normal height, a brunette, with barely any frown lines or wrinkles and sky-blue eyes. The Halls are at least sixty years old, but they don't look it. Directly across the street from us is another strange, but beautiful couple. The man is rugged in appearance like most railroad workers. He has long lashes like those of a woman, thick bushy hair and flawless caramel skin. Though handsome, he is never well-groomed. His wife is also attractive. She is dark chocolate with a lot of hair that falls to her shoulders, and bounces as she walks; her pouty lips are the kind the old people swear are sexy. Those neighbors have two children. Simon and I are getting used to the newness of city life, the sounds of the streetcars, the pinging of the church clock, and the whispers of voices walking down the street. On steamy summer nights, the neighborhood seems to explode. Vague voices and outbursts of laughter are heard from blocks away. It's a jovial place. The sounds of crickets chirping are drowned out by the hissing of the steam shooting out of the trains and streetcars starting and stopping along its route through town. The action is hypnotic. I find myself loathing going to sleep, because I relish the sounds of city life so much. It is invigorating.

I can't help wondering about Momma and her life in a world shadowed with trees. She is alone now, with painful memories about a time all of us would love to forget. But, somehow the past always come back to you in some form. Carl, my brother, is still in Jefferson County, and yards away from my mother. He is just like my papa, strong-willed and no-nonsense. He is the strength she needs right now. When Camm was murdered, I'd waited for her to lose it all—break down in tears—but instead her face appeared
less tense, relaxed. Just like for me, a burden had been lifted from my mother's shoulders.

Simon is all I need right now. He is such a handsome man, physically and mentally strong. He is truly mine in every form, something I never thought would happen; and I adore ever inch of his being. I quiver sometimes just thinking about how complete he makes me feel. “Oh, Lawd, is this right?” I say to myself, and feel warm chills travel over my skin. He says he loves me, and acts like it, too. He is so attentive to me and Robert. Along with most women we are around, the lady across the street is always staring at my husband. I smile shyly at her, knowing she'd better stay in her place, because he has chosen me.