Fire in the Ashes

Cecil said, “When both man and beast accept a woman, I guess that pretty well settles it.” He lit his pipe. “Be careful, Ben, many of the pressures in an interracial relationship come from within rather than from without."

“I'm aware of that."

They spoke for a half hour or more, and Ben found he shared most of Cecil's ideas and dreams, and that Cecil shared his.

“...You know what I'm saying, Ben. I don't have to convince you. We both agreed that education on both sides is the key to wiping out hate and racism and all the deadly sins that rip at any society. And we must have conformity to some degree. I agree with that. And I also agree that educated people must get into the home to see that all we've talked of is accomplished; but how to do that without becoming Orwellian with it?

“Ben? I didn't ask for the job of leader down here. One day I looked up and it was being handed to me. No one asked if I wanted it. I don't want and don't need any New Africa. I have been accepted in both white and black worlds for years. My father was a psychiatrist and my mother a college professor. I hold a Ph.D.—from a very respectable university. 3.9 average.

“Hilton Logan? He's a nigger-hater. Always has been. Those of us with any education saw past his rhetoric.

“Kasim? Piss on Kasim. His bread isn't baked. He was a street punk and that's all he'll ever be.

“You're going to look up someday, Ben—one day very soon, I believe—and the job of leader will be handed to you. Like me, you won't want it, but you'll take it because you believe in your dreams of a fair world, fair society. I read you, Ben, like a good book. You're heading west to the states Logan is leaving alone for a time. And you're going to form your own little nation. Just like we're attempting to do here. Good luck to you—you're going to need it. I—we—may join you out there."

“You'd be welcome, Cecil. There are too few like you and Lila and Pal and Valerie."

“And Salina,” Lila said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Ben smiled.

“And you're right, Ben,” Cecil said. “The root cause is in the home."

Cecil leaned back and reminisced. “One of my earliest recollections is of Mozart and Brahms. But do you think the average southern white would believe that? Not a chance. He'll put down soul music—which I abhor—while slugging the jukebox, punching out the howlings and honkings of country music.

“Ben, my father used to sit in his study, listening to fine music while going over his cases, a brandy at hand. My mother was having a sherry—not Ripple—” he laughed,—"going over her papers from the college. My home life was conducive to a moderate, intelligent way of life. My father told me, if I wanted it, to participate in sports, but to keep the game in perspective and always remember it was but a game. Nothing more. No, Ben, I did not grow up as the average black kid. That's why I know what you say is true. Home. The root cause.

“I went to the opera, Ben—really! How many violent-minded people attend operas? How many ignorant people attend plays and classical concerts? How many bigots—of all races—read Sartre, Shakespeare, Tennyson, Dante?” He shook his head.

“No, you find your bigots and violent-minded ignoramuses seeking other forms of base entertainment. And not just music.

“Do you know why I joined the Green Berets, Ben?"

Ben shook his head.

“So I could get to know violence firsthand. We didn't have street gangs where I grew up.” He laughed and slapped his knee. “Well, I found out about it, all right; I got shot in the butt in Laos."

Lila punctured his reminiscences. “Let's not refight the war. I've heard all your stories. Tomorrow is a work day, remember?"

After they all said their good-nights and good-byes, Ben walked into the bedroom. “Are you all right, now?"

“Of course, I am,” Salina's voice was small in the darkness. “I always lie about bawling and snuffling."

“You heard everything that was said?"

“Of course, I did. I'm not deaf."

“Well—you want to head out with me in the morning?"

“Maybe I like it here."

“Sure. You could always marry Kasim and live happily ever after. Or get killed by Kenny Parr's mercenaries."

“The latter preferable to the former."

“I repeat: would you like to head out with me in the morning?"

“Why should I?"

“You might see some sights you've never seen before."

“Ben, that is a stupid statement for a writer to make. If I haven't seen the sights before, of course I'd be seeing them for the first time."

“What?"

“That isn't a good enough reason, Ben."

“Well ... goddamn it! I like you and you like me."

“That's better. Sure you want to travel with a zebra?"

Ben suddenly thought of Ike's wife, Megan. “I'll tell everyone you've been out in the sun too long. But let's get one thing settled: when I tell you to step-and-fetch-it, you'd better hump it, baby."

She giggled. “Screw you, Ben Raines."

“I also have that in mind."

She threw back the covers and Ben could see she was naked. And beautiful. “So come on. I assure you, whitey, it doesn't rub off."

* * * *