The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-07-25


me 10 tell you. I'm scared"
Don't you trust me?"
I'VE amt never done nothing
like this before. They'll look ev.
erywhere for us for something like
this. II amt like coming to where
work at night when the white
folks is gone out OF town and steal
ing something. 1t amt :"
Its up 10 you
I'm scared, Bigger"
who on earth'll think We did
| it,"
II don't know. You really think
they don't know where the girl ls?''
II know they don't"
sY0u. known"
"Naw."
She'll turn up"
"She won't. And. anyhow. she's
a crazy girl. They might even think
she's in 1t herself. just to get mon
ey from her family. They might
think the Reds is doing It. The
won't think we did. They don I
think we got enough CUTS to do II.
They think niggers is too scared. "
II don't know"
Ibid ever tell you anything
wrong?"
Nav; but we amt never done
nothing like this before"
well. ! amt wrong now"
when do you want to do IT."
soon as they begin 10 WORRY
about the gal"
you really reckon we could?'
81 told you what | think"
"Naw; Bigger: amt going 10
do II. think you :"
He turned abruptly and walked
away from her.
Bigger"
She ran over the snow and tug
ged at his sleeve. He stopped. out
did not turned around. She caught
his coat and pulled him about
Under the yellow sheen OF street
lamp they confronted each other.
silently. All about them was the
white snow and the night: they
were cut OF from the world and
were conscious only OF each other.
He looked at her without expi es-
sion, waiting. Her eyes were fas-
tened fearfully and distrustfu.iy
upon his face. He held his Dndy
in an attitude that suggested that
he was delicately balanced upon
hairline, waiting to see IL SHE
would push him forward or draw
him back. Her lips smiled family
and she lifted her hand and tousn-
ed his face with her fingers. He
knew she was fighting out In hor
feelings the question OF just how
much he meant to her. She grab
bed his hand and squeezed II. tell
ing him in the pressure OF her fin-
gers that she wanted him.
But. Bigger. honey Let's
don't do that. We getting along all
right like We is now :"
He drew his hand away.
I'm going" he said.
When Ill see you, honey"
IL don't know"
He started off again and she
overlook him and encircled him
with her arms.
Bigger, honey :"
Come on. Bessie. What you 60
ing TO do?"
She looked at him with round,
helpless black eyes. He was etill
poised. wondering IL she would pull
him toward her, or let him fall
alone. He was enjoying her agony,
seeing and feeling the worth Of
himself In her bewildered despera-
ton. Her lips trembIed and she
began to cry.
What you going to dor he ask
ed again.
III | do 1t. it's cause you want
me to-" che sobbed.
He put his arm about her
shoulders.
Come on. Bessie" he said
Don't cry"
She stopped and dried her eyes /;
he looked at her closely. she'll do
II. he thought.
II got 10 CO." he said.
IL amt going In right now"
Where you going?"
He found that he was afraid Of
what she did. now that she vas
working with him. His peace OF
mind depended upon knowing what
she did and why.
I'm going to get pint"
That was all right: she was feel
ing as he knew she always felt =.
We'll, I'll see you tomorrow
night, hunh?'
ok, honey. But be careful"
Look, Bessie, don't worry none.
Just trust me. No matter what
happens. they won't catch us. And
they won't even know you had
anything to do with t."
IF they start after US, where
could we hide. Bigger You know
ives black. We can't go just any
where"
He looked around the lamp-llf,
snow-covered street.
There's plenty OF places" he
said. Il know the South Side from
A t. 2. We could even hide nui
In one OF those old buildings. see
Like did last time. Nobody ever
looks into 'em."
He pointed across the street II
a black. looming empty apartment
building"
WELL she sighed.
I'm going" he said.
so long. honey"
He walked toward the car l'ne;
when he looked back he saw bel
still standing In the snow: she
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