The Crossing by Gerald W. Darnell Page B

caught off guard.
    “Mr. Reno, Tammy and Sonny’s marriage was over.   It basically ended when she lost the baby, and they never seemed to forgive each other.   I can’t say I agree with that, but I do understand it.   Anyway – somewhere, somehow Tammy met a colored man and had been sneaking around and seeing him.   Don’t ask me how I found out, but I did, and I finally got the nerve to confront her one afternoon.”
    “What happened?” I asked.
    “She didn’t deny it, in fact she admitted it. I tried to explain to her that her father would never understand, but she blew it off by saying he would never find out.   Well, now that she is dead, I’m sure he’s going to find out and I don’t know how he’s going to react.   I know you are in town trying to help Henry, and I just thought you should hear this from me,” Nora said.
    “Did she tell you who the colored man was?   Do you know who it was?” I asked.
    “No, I never knew and she never told.   Now she is dead and a colored man is in jail for her murder, and I’m trying to figure where I went wrong in raising Tammy.” Nora was starting to cry.
    “Mrs. Whitmore, please don’t blame yourself.   I’m sure you and Thomas did all the right things, and please remember, Tammy was an adult; she had the right to do with her life as she wanted.   She didn’t deserve to die, but certainly had the right to make her own choices.   What can you tell me about her husband, Sonny?”
    “He was the love of her life in high school.   I never really liked him, but she was happy and that is all that counted.” Nora reached into her handbag and retrieved a small handkerchief.
    “What about now?” I asked.
    “He’s a hothead and a drunk.   I was amazed that they still lived under the same roof.   I’m pretty sure he didn’t care for Tammy anymore.”
    “Could he have killed her?” I had to ask.
    “Could he – yes.   Would he – I doubt it.   I don’t think he really cared anymore, but I’m sure you will be talking to him and can decide for yourself,” she said while wiping her tears.
    “What about your son, her brother, Richie?   Did he know about her seeing a colored man?”
    Mrs. Whitmore gave me a hard look. “Mr. Reno, you may talk with Richie, but leave him out of this.   He and his sister were very close, and I don’t know whether he knew or not, but he does know that their father would not approve, so he would never have said anything.”
    “Thank you for your honesty,” I said sincerely. “May I stop by your house during the next couple of days to talk with you and Thomas?”
    “Yes, certainly.   But he is not to know about this conversation, ever!   Now, I must go before he starts to wonder where I am.   Thanks for your time, and please remember this is about the death of my little girl – my daughter.”
    Nora had continued to clutch the purse to her chest during the entire conversation.   As she stood up, she opened the purse and handed me a 5” x 7” black and white high school graduation photo of Tammy Whitmore Blurton.
    “I want you to have this, Mr. Reno.   Please remember her.”   Nora was crying as she walked out the door and crawled back behind the steering wheel of her truck.
    I sat for another 10 minutes collection my thoughts then headed the Ford back toward Chiefs.   It had been a long day.
     
    Tensions
    J oe’s car was parked in front of his cabin and I found a spot for the Ford in front of mine.   The crowd had grown significantly since my visit there earlier, and I was wondering if any seats would be available in the restaurant or bar.   Circling cars were two wide and stretched from the highway and side street in a seemingly never- ending parade.   The carhops were extremely busy and Chiefs was having a very good night – as usual.
    Nickie and Joe were sitting at my favorite end of the bar and both waved when they saw me enter. The noise level was already exceeding safe limits, and I swear