Book Five

PART I 

CHAPTER 1 

The headline in the Chicago Defender on April 5, 1938: “Incumbent Jackson Loses 3rd Ward in Stunning Upset,” 

“Grassroots Movement Propels Dark Horse Candidate,” 

“Earl Thomas narrowly defeated incumbent Jackson, becoming Chicago’s youngest Alderman in history.” 

TREY AND TALLULAH are having breakfast. Tallulah fixed Earl’s favorite; grits, eggs, spicy sausage, and coffee. Tallulah preferred a traditional Choctaw breakfast like her mother taught her: grits, berries, beans, and fish. The Chicago Defender lay on a chair, folded in half. 

They sat down deep in their thoughts, and for different reasons, feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. Someone murdered Tallulah’s “Ihina” (mother), Opa, a year earlier. Someone ambushed her and Lou while they worked on a routine divorce case for Tolliver Investigative Services. The police had no suspects and stopped looking after a few weeks. Her brother Boyd moved in with her. Boyd tried to move on, but he had a long way to go. Sometimes at night Tallulah could hear him crying. Earl knew Tallulah needed to talk.

 “Talk to me, baby,” he said, reaching across the table. Tallulah took a deep breath, Boyd and I need to bring closure to Mamma’s killing before we can move on. The police don’t care about the murder of two more Black people. Sometimes I can hear Boyd crying at night. Tears formed in her eyes and she struggled to continue. Earl squeezed her hands, 

“I’ve talked to Boyd and I know he is hurting. When Aunt Linda brings them all home, lets get all the kids together and talk it out as a family. You are not alone!” Tallulah finally smiled and relaxed just a little.

 “Now Alderman Thomas, what’s on your mind? You don’t seem to be yourself.” 

He told Tallulah “Why did I start this?” I’m scared; I’m over my head. For the first time, his confidence wavered and he felt overwhelmed. He was moody when he should have been excited. Tallulah was silent. Finally, she said, “Earl, you need to go to work. You asked for this, and the people voted for you. Your family and friends are behind you. I’m with you. We still can’t buy a home outside the South Side; hundreds, if not thousands, are arriving in the city looking for work. This depression isn’t over and we are always the first fired and last hired. You better get off your ass and get busy you don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself.”