Kiersten Roberts- Architect/Carpenter

Tall, wet grass scrapes across Alethea Silvas legs as she races through the barely moonlit

woods. She could see the opening, but it still seems so far. Her black hair flapping away, her

puffy lips heaving short breaths. She can feel her creamy white skin heat like flames thinking of

Daniel. It all be so easy to just run off, be free, leaving everything behind.

Other than her husband, Pietro Silva, Alethea has no real family here. Her family was

unfortunately unable to get on the crowded boat that day they decided they needed an escape, the

day the boat came to take a few Europeans across the ocean to the United States of America. All

the freedom and money her family heard about America. Certainly Alethea agrees, but with so

much freedom of speech and beliefs, there comes so much hatred and diversity from

unacceptable people from their unwilling understanding of other beliefs and others say. Shed met

Pietro on that boat, both of their families had them go without them, and so they found solace in

each other.

It has been getting harder and harder for Alethea to find ways to get her family here as

more restrictions from laws came about. Especially after World War I six years ago, many

people from different countries in Europe sought it best to come to America for its rights and

freedoms. Oh how she hoped she could be with her family again after twelve dreadfully long

years and maybe more to come.

“Daniel! Daniel!,” She breathily calls out as she gets closer to the well lit opening that

was agreed upon to meet. She feels hands slide around her waist as she collapses into Daniel

arms. “I’m sorry I’m late, I had to make sure he was asleep. I cant have him questioning

anything the way he is,” Alethea recounts to Daniel remembering her husband, Pietro, dropping
his last bottle of Bees Knees. ​During Prohibition, people covered up the harsh flavors of bathtub

gin with fresh lemon and honey in an effort to make it more palatable calling it Bees Knees.

Alethea thought it of a hoax.

“That man is a grifter who otta go to the big house Thea. He aint seen no scratch o ice.

He aint seen nothing like I have. Thea!” Daniel took Alethea's face between his hands, his crystal

blue eyes shining and blonde curls waving in the wind, trying to read get a read on her. But he

knew it was no hope, he could see her analyzing every other problem than her dewdropper of a

husband.

“Daniel, you--I can not. You know of the town, you know what they’ll think! What’ll

they say! Don't go pushing nonsense that aint got no business to be pushed.” Alethea was

adamant in her words, she cannot believe that they could just be. She's an outsider of this free

country. Alethea thought of her old life when she was just a kid back in Europe--more

specifically Portugal. Here, she ain't wanted here for nothing but labor in the factories. She aint

nothin but an outsider with a white man screwing with his head, that's what they'll think!

Daniel sighs and knowing he's got to tell her. “The march is gon happen soon. It's really

happening and the way they spouting, it aint gon be pretty,” Daniel continues,”Thea we need to

leave soon, we have to go. I aint want you around ‘ere.”

“I can't!” She exclaims.

“We don't know what they a doin! They a growin’ big--they have plenty-a goons joinin’

and this march been a big debate!” Daniel persists.

 “I jus don’t know Danny. Where we gon go? How do you know if the people in the place

we’ll find be any differen than the people ‘ere? That they'll see our love as forbidden?” Alethea

can not believe he is just a thinkin this nonsense, jus nonsense!

“My grandfather is expecting me to join, there ain't anotha option: I go with him and my

father or we can leave Thea! I won't go without you. Lets head North, towards New York or

Chicago-- the people there are spectacular, the culture is aspiring. The people won’t care who we

are, they be too busy dancing and enjoying they time. Lets go join those flappers, be even more

daring.” Alethea couldnt believe what she was hearing from Daniel. But she couldnt help but to

think of it, the way he was describing it. She cant let him go to that march, not for what its meant

for. Racists them all!!

They continued the talk of it and as it was nearing morning, since they did meet at

midnight, they parted back to their homes--on opposite ends of a wooded area--and they agreed

to meet again next sunday.

Even though the sun had not broke out yet, Alethea still worried her husband may wake

as she slowely opened the door. Chills pricked at her kneck and she looked over her shoulder

across the street, at the yellow picket home across from her dewy brown one, her eyes met with

her neighbors, Chloretta. Chlorettas eyes bore into Aletheas. Alethea hoped she havent thought

of it nothing this wee early in the morning. Maybe a very early, much needed walk? The curtains

that Chloretta was hidning behind quickly and closed and so Alethea scurried inside.

Days have passed sinced she last saw Daniel. All she could think about is what they

talked about. About heading north. Every day gets harder the next; the hatred of the growing Klu

Klux Klan, Pietro drowning in out in liqour and about to lose his job because of it, and Alethea
not even being able to be with Daniel. She still will always love her husband but her love for

another is stronger, she can not deny that.

Alethea continues to think of Daniel, and of her family, as she picks the clothes off the

clothes line across her enclosed backyard. The wind picked up and she debated picking up speed

as she remembers this morning; her neighbors, Chloretta and John Jones, had invited Alethea and

Pietro for brunch. Alethea had politely declined saying she was feeling ill, and Pietro not one to

ignore food had said he’d be there in a few after he got on proper attire.

“Thea!” Alethea was startled as she saw Daniel coming from the woods. Not wanting

him to be seen just in case Pietro comes back if not already has, Alethea runs to edge of the

woods to meet Daniel.

“What are you doing here Danny?! You know we have a designated time every week. It

is not now!” Alethea can not believe that this happening.

“Leave with me tonight or tomorrow or in two days. But in three days time we can not.

The Klu Klux Klan are setting their march for the 8th of August.

Alethea was doing chores of the backyard as darkness clouded the sky. Her hair flapped

in the wind as she dug into out the weeds. The wind picked up and alethea debated picking up

her speed as she recalls her husband stumbling over glass bottles before she dashed outside to see

for anything to do to pass time.

With no more weeds to pull and two splashed happened across her cheeks, Alethea

hesitantly walks back to the house. As she turns to close the door behind her, she not only heard

the door click but a click behind her. Almost like the cocking of a gun. Aletheas skin erupted in
goosebumps as a cold sweat prickles over her. Her heart picked up speed as what felt like cold

metal pressed against the back of her head.

“What you been sneaking around fo Alethea? You know I aint play no games. WE AINT

IN AMERICA TO BLOW!” Pietro presses the gun harder against Aletheas head and she yelps.

“You know I am so ​sick o​ f you. I cant believe I ever decided to stay with you on that boat.”

“PIETRO!!!” Alethea cries.

“​No.​”​PIAAUUUUUUUK!