Chapter Two Breaking the News December in Georgia was usually pleasant The normally hot-as-fire temperatures had cooled to mild Some evenings it was downright cold Dustu loved this time of year He didn’t start to sweat as soon as he left his cabin And the white people were friendlier too They enjoyed the mild winter and they were in the Christmas spirit Dustu walked over to his mother’s chicken pen Twelve hens of various shades danced around his mother She was scattering cracked corn and old vegetables across the chicken yard talking to her hens as she moved Dustu liked watching his mother with the hens There was something simple and just 10
Hullo my love She smiled and wiped Thank you dear heart I’ll fetch their water for you Dustu plain nice about it His mother was a tall woman with strong arms and shining smiling eyes She always made him feel very loved Mama Dustu chirped as he approached the chicken pen Need some help her hands on her apron volunteered Dustu jogged over to the water pump lifted the pitcher and pumped as hard and as fast as his small five-year-old arms would go The water from the ground was cool fresh After filling the pitcher he carefully walked back to the pen As he poured the fresh water in the dish he said Mama Papa told me to find you He said he had news to share with you 11
News About what Dustu shrugged Papa didn’t say Have you seen your sister lately No but she did say she wanted to walk to town to get candy She’s such a silly girl She knows she’ll have to wait until Saturday right She can’t go by herself Dustu knew his mother was careful with money and kept the family on a tight budget Saturday was shopping day Treats and extras came after the staples were bought Besides she didn’t like the children going into town by themselves Sometimes bullies called the children names or mistreated them Mama liked to watch over the children to make sure no nonsense happened Mama gathered the eggs from the nest boxes Tell Papa I’ll be in soon Just finishing 12
No Mama He said I was to finish your my chores out here work for you He needs you right away Mama hated to have her work interrupted A frown crept across her face Very well She sighed Rake the feathers and manure into the compost pile Be sure to lock the pen so no raccoons get inside She trudged to the cabin carrying four fresh brown eggs in her hands As Mama walked into the cabin she could hear her two-year-old’s cries MA-MA Immokalee wailed Sh-sh-shhh Papa cooed as he rocked the little girl back and forth in the rocking chair asked What is the matter with Immy Mama It must be time for a nap 13
