Indigo

by Beverly Jenkins

Jenine asked, "Where are you from originally, Mr. Vachon?" "Louisiana." "Ah," she said. "I knew a man from Louisiana. Creole, just like you. He used to get in fights all the time." Hester asked, "Why?" "Folks kept telling him he wasn't Black. You ever have that problem, Mr. Vachon?" "Occasionally, and I find it is always a pleasure to meet someone from the Race Inclusion Board. After all, where would the race be without them telling us who may be in the race and who may not?" Everyone chuckled. Jenine asked, "So you consider yourself a member of the race?" It was an odd question, Hester thought. Galen's eyes met Hester's for a fleeting second before he turned his attention back to Jenine. "Yes, Mrs. Quint. I consider myself a member of the race, why would I not?" She shrugged. "Because some mulattoes choose not to. They use their skin and their well-connected families to escape the hardships we darker souls must endure." Hester looked over at Foster with surprise. He in turn stared at Jenine. "Did I say something wrong?" she asked. She raised her eyes to Galen's and must have seen the coolness there because she gasped quickly, "Oh, Mr. Vachon, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. It was just an observation. I meant nothing by it." Galen offered just the trace of a smile, then inclined his head, "Apology accepted."

This is a really interesting exchange, hits close to home if I'm bein honest. This very thing is still happening today.