Experiment 276 Classified

Chapter 3

Sunday church service was over. Deveraux walked with Halo back to the house. They walked while the Elders rode the three miles.

Halo, do you find this place odd? She inhaled, then exhaled, looking around lower your voice Dev. My family, especially my grandmother, knows something, but there is this big giant elephant in all our rooms that the older people know and won't say.

Where can we get the youth together ages 16 to 25 Halo? There are only 10 of us in total Dev. Has anyone tried to leave Halo? Leave Dev? Yes, baby, the ambulance came, and I followed the tracks they ended at the tree line.

Baby as if the damn ambulance rode right into the trees. You know we aren't allowed to follow the vehicles Dev it can get us in big trouble. Why not Halo.... hum? Why can we follow the cars or leave and go to the zoo? Or a park? Have you ever been to a museum, baby?

You know I haven't Dev. Then why not baby? Why have we never been on a school trip to the zoo? The world isn't safe for black people with the civil rights going on, and all we are dying out there.

Dr. King is doing his best at getting us equality. Dev, we are safe here, baby. Dev stopped walking. Yeah, Halo.... He thought of the battery and telling her about it, but he wasn't sure if it was safe.

Yes, Deveraux? Nothing. When did you want all of us to meet? What about the creek Wednesday at 4 when chores are done so the Elders don't complain. Tell everyone to get it all done, okay? Halo shook her head yes. They went to the barbecue.

I'm shocked management gave you ribs, Willie. I had Ethel ask you know they love Ethel she always get when she asks. Why can't we go to the market and get our own ribs?

Everyone was quiet. Deveraux, now ain't the time. His father corrected him. Sho ain't his grandfather chimed in looking at him, then looking up to the ceiling.

Halo's dad also gave him a look, shaking his head no. After dessert and coffee, the women retired to their quilting bee while the men drank moonshine Halo's father made. Deveraux sipped from a Mason jar. This is good, sir.

Do you like it, Deveraux? Yes, sir, better than Mr Jordan's. They trio chuckled. I use Jordan's moonshine for my damn lantern. Willie shut up Halo's dad, laughed. The night came to an end as Deveraaux strolled alone with Halo on the grounds.

She could tell his mind was elsewhere. You okay, Deveraaux. Yes, sweetie. Well, I better go. I have class early. Class? What do you do there, Halo? Just a lot of stupid tests. The worst part is they take the game away when you start, so prepare yourself. You start next month when you turn 21. Then they release your dad.

Yeah? Yep, they released mine when I started. What about your mother? They keep us longer. My mother has been in class since she was 20 she is 43 Halo. My mom is turning 50 Dev. What happens if we refuse to go.

She lowered her voice stop. Dev, you know the stories people dissappear around here, especially when they ask questions. You of all people know this what happens to Jackson? Deveraux looked away sad.

Sorry baby, but I don't want you to disappear like your brother Deveraux.... I... I love you, Deveraux.

He stared, saying nothing. Halo scoffed, storming off. Baby, wait. She waved and ran off. Deveraux wanted to say it back in fact so many times he wanted to say it first, but that nagging grandfather's voice kn the back of his head warning him not to show love stopped him.

Damn he said, kicking the dirt. Deveraux went inside wanting to call Halo, but he just stared at the phone, thinking of what he would say.

He turned on the nightly news to hear President Kennedy's presidential address highlights.