The FIRST DAY Leona Tate's heart felt light as Mama helped her put on a sweater Leona was glad to be leaving her crowded old school Her dress was starched and pressed her hair ribbon tied just right The house was noisy with talk and filled with the delicious smells of sausage and eggs grits and biscuits When a black sedan pulled up out front the house got quiet Two men wearing suits and yellow arm bands stepped out One knocked on the front door The other waited by the car his Deputy United States Marshal badge glinting in the sun Leona had always walked to school with Mama Today she was getting a ride Glory When you get in the car sit back in the seat Leona's mother said Do not put your face to the window Mama took her hand and they followed the marshal to the car 19
Not far from Leona in the Ninth Ward a U.S. Marshal knocked on Tessie Prevost's front door Marshals would drive Tessie to school today too Mrs. Prevost told one of the lawmen I'm giving you my baby This is my baby This is my job he replied and I'm going to take care of this baby You don't have to worry Her mother was afraid but Tessie wasn't The man with the badge was there and even better her daddy was there Her daddy could beat Goliath and King Kong with one hand tied behind his back
McDonogh 19 Public School was surrounded by swarms of shouting people Leona couldn't tell what they were yelling but it seemed to her that a parade must be coming like a Mardi Gras morning Leona loved the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans a time for music candy and fun She wondered Why am I going to school on a holiday The road to McDonogh 19 St. Claude Avenue was a parade route Grandma Dora had brought Tessie there to watch celebrations many times Like Leona when Tessie saw the crowds of people and police on horseback she guessed it must be Mardi Gras When they got to school her daddy said Put your hand in my hand and look straight ahead Don't worry about a thing I'm here Tessie reached for him U.S. Marshals took six year old Gail Etienne to school that day too but Gail could tell it wasn't a time to celebrate Looking out of the car window she knew right away the roaring crowd had nothing to do with Mardi Gras What were they so mad about What had Gail done Policemen held back the mob of people who seemed to want to get at her Gail was sure they would hurt her if they could She was glad Mama and Daddy could come along
