James

by Percival Everett

“Why did God set it up like this?” Rachel asked. “With them as masters and us as slaves?” “There is no God, child. There’s religion but there’s no God of theirs. Their religion tells that we will get our reward in the end. However, it apparently doesn’t say anything about their punishment.

“To fight in a war,” he said. “Can you imagine?” “Would that mean facing death every day and doing what other people tell you to do?” I asked. “I reckon.” “Yes, Huck, I can imagine.”

“Jim? My goodness. Where on earth have you been?” He looked past me to see Huck and so repeated his question. “Lawd a’mercy. Where ya’ll bin all dis time?” “My God, you, too, Doris?” Huck said.