He was grateful for her support and it troubled him deeply to defy her. Choices were made for Jessie by her parents, choices that were beyond Cora's authority and control. But she could not accept their lies. Cora loved Jessie as her own, a love that deserved the truth be known. Like Langston Hughes, Cora Jenkins imposed her own consequence for her actions.
Authority is imposed and choices are made.
Some of it is just and welcomed. Some is unjust and compromising. The road to justice is too often detoured by unyielding preconceptions and prejudice. When attitudes discriminate and basic human rights are not honored, someone must stimulate others to care, to unite, and develop a collective advocacy. Sometimes advocacy can be as simple as an act of kindness, one person to another.