One More River by Mary Glickman

next day and proceeded to live the life of teacher’s pet, which had a happy effect on his classmates who decided, perhaps also out of guilt, to be sweet and kind to him. Things got to a state where school was his favorite place to be, better for sure than being at home with his drug-addled mother and her lovers, and even better than his grandparents’ store. He knew without fully comprehending why that it was all due to this other Bernard Levy. The older he got, the more curious he was about his name-twin. He felt their fates were related, tied together, that one day they would meet, and discover themselves brothers in the soul. All that happened, but not remotely in the way the boy anticipated, not in that sunny skies, balmy breeze sort of way but in a way Bernard could not possibly imagine no matter how much heartache life had doled out to his young soul already.

VI
Guilford, Mississippi, 1962
    T HANKS TO HIS INVESTIGATION, M ICKEY Moe was downstairs late for supper. He’d concentrated so hard, he did not hear the little silver bell his mother rang every five minutes he was late, summoning him. At his appearance, Beadie gave him a dark look.
    I’m sorry, Mama, he said. Time just ran away with me.
    Well, it’s in the process of running away with the excellence of this meal Sara Kate worked so hard on.
    Mickey Moe made to get out of his chair.
    I’ll go apologize to her.
    No! Don’t you dare interrupt the table any further than you already have. Your sister and I have been sitting here waiting for you for near a quarter hour.
    I’m very sorry, m’am.
    He turned and nodded to Eudora Jean, the sole sister remaining at home. Poor girl was completely dominated by Mama’s caveats and looked sure to fulfill the spinster’s fate of living cowed and servile to her mother’s needs until Beadie was in the ground. She was quiet and thin and often wore Mama’s cast-off clothes, so it was hard to see Eudora Jean as an individual. She seemed more her mother’s shadow. Mickey Moe felt sorry for her and frustrated that he could not inject her with a little gumption.
    I hope you all forgive me.
    Beadie sighed in response and rang her bell for service. Sara Kate appeared hauling a huge tureen as nice as the Needlemans’, from which she ladled out a cold potato soup seasoned with dill.
    Isn’t it a good thing we decided against a hot soup tonight, Sara Kate? Despite the fact that folks say a steamy broth is just the thing to cool one off on a summer day? Thanks to my boy here, it would’ve curdled before we all sat.
    Yes, Miss Beadie. It shows you never lost your instincts.
    Mickey Moe’s mama was proud that in the old days she could always arrive at the choicest menu to suit a particular occasion. The compliment pleased her and she relaxed considerably. She turned to her only son to bless him with the restoration of her good humor.
    Why don’t you tell us how your trip to Greenville went? I imagine it went quite well, as you were invited the night.
    That would be a misperception, Mama.
    He told the story of his visit to the Needlemans’ and held nothing back. Mama was shocked, then outraged, then excited, and at last, disapproving of his plans.
    I don’t know, son. I don’t know what good would come of finding your daddy’s people. Some rocks are better left unturned.
    It never occurred to Mickey Moe that Mama might know more about Bernard Levy than she’d ever let on. He thought she was worried about his welfare. He sat up a little straighter and squared his shoulders. As Sara Kate had just cleared his place setting, he put his forearms on the table, clasped his hands earnestly, and leaned forward.
    I’m prepared for whatever comes my way. You don’t have to worry.
    He lifted his hands and rested his chin against them with a dreamy look on his handsome face.
    I will be a child of mystery no more, no more.
    Hmph, Mama said. As long as you don’t remain a boor with his elbows on the table.
    That night he lay awake