A Tiny Piece of Sky by Shawn K. Stout

Seaweed were in plain view of Daddy’s working eye. “Only one, for all of us.”
    Daddy sighed and then nodded. “I see.”
    â€œNow, the only toilets for whites you’ve got are in the dining room,” said Mr. Stannum, “but me and Julie can’t be traipsing through the dining room when you’ve got customers to use those toilets. It wouldn’t be right.”
    â€œNo,” Daddy agreed, “that wouldn’t be right. But neither wouldit be right for Amy, Leon, and Seaweed to do without facilities. I’m sure you’re not suggesting they just go in the street, Mr. Stannum.”
    Mr. Stannum adjusted the collar of his shirt, which was feeling a bit like a lonesome boa constrictor. “Of course not.”
    â€œThen what
are
you suggesting?”
    â€œWell,” Mr. Stannum said after a few moments of thought, “the only thing to do as I see it is to make the kitchen toilet for whites only, in accordance with the laws of the city, and not to mention the laws of nature, and to put in a new lavatory for the colored staff. Not that I mind so much”—he cleared his throat—“but I’m thinking of
them
. It’s just not what they’re used to. There’s a closet right beside the toilet back there, and we’ve got ample storage space already.”
    â€œThat
is
one idea,” said Daddy. He scratched the top of his head and then smoothed his hair, which was thick with pomade, so that it didn’t stick up like a rooster’s tail. “Putting in a new lavatory would take some doing, though, not to mention a good bit of money. I just don’t think my pockets are that deep, considering all the construction going on in the dining room.” He patted Mr. Stannum on the back. “So it seems to me, the better plan is to use the same one.”
    â€œThe same one!” said Mr. Stannum.
    â€œThat’s right,” said Daddy. “I appreciate your concern for the others, as you say, but no one else has complained, and I shouldn’t think the others will be bothered. And since you yourself said you didn’t mind, I guess we don’t have much of a problem after all, do we?”
    â€œWell, er, but,” grumbled Mr. Stannum. “No, I suppose we don’t.”
    â€œVery good,” said Daddy. “Then there you have it.”
    â€œExcuse me,” said Mr. Stannum, heading back toward thestoves, where Mr. Washington and Seaweed were up to their armpits in grease.
    â€œOh, wait,” said Daddy. “One more thing.” Then he stepped into the center of the room. “Everyone, give an ear for a moment, please.” When he had everybody’s attention, he said, “I’m inviting all the staff and their families here to the restaurant the night before we open. I thought it would be a chance to get to know everyone, and a good way to try out some of the things on the menu.”
    â€œBut that’s July the fourth,” said Mr. Stannum.
    â€œThat’s true,” said Daddy. “I know some of you were planning on going down to the celebration on the square, but I thought we could all do some celebrating of our own right here. I know of a place in Baltimore that sells an assortment of fireworks, too. Just wait until you see the Whirling Dervisher and the Marble Flash Salutes. Spectacular.”
    Seaweed looked at Amy and grinned. “That sound all right by me.”
    â€œHe don’t mean us,” whispered Amy. “Don’t even think it.”
    â€œSure he does,” said Frankie, who couldn’t help but overhear. “Don’t you, Daddy?”
    â€œThat’s right,” said Daddy. “All are welcome.”

June 21, 1939
    Dear Frankie, who I remember very well,
    You’ll be relieved to know that all of my fingers are working just fine. Aunt Dottie won’t let me near the tractor, which is all right by me. Incidentally, you