The train arrives at Harmonica Dock Train Station three days ter. Magnolia grabs her luggage and exits the train. She enters the station and walks through the lobby. When she makes it outside a taxi is waiting for a fare. Magnolia waves down the driver who gets out. He walks over to her smiling. He is in his early fifties with a robust build.

  His eyes are light blue and filled with life. He has on a dark brown beret, a chocote brown shirt, a beige coat, bck pants, and bck shoes.

  "Good morning ma'am how are you?" the driver says taking her luggage.

  "Good morning sir. I'm fine and you?" Magnolia asks walking to the taxi.

  The driver pces her suitcase in the trunk.

  "That's wonderful and I'm doing fine." the driver says opening the passenger door.

  "Thank you so much," Magnolia says politely getting inside the car.

  After shutting the door, he gets in the driver's seat.

  "Where are we going this morning?"

  "10505 Hickory Avenue."

  "Yes ma'am." the driver says pulling away from the curb.

  An hour ter they arrive at Graves Manor. The two-story gray brick abode has four white Corinthian columns and four porch chairs. The driver gets out and goes to the trunk. He grabs her suitcase and goes to open the door for Magnolia. After stepping out he shuts the door behind her.

  "That will be twenty dolrs." the taxi driver says gncing at Magnolia in the mirror.

  Magnolia goes into her purse and pulls out a one-hundred-dolr bill. After looking at the bill he looks at her shocked.

  "I can't accept this."

  Magnolia smiles at him warmly.

  "You deserve it. You appear to be a hardworking citizen. You should go and treat yourself. Thank you again for bringing me."

  "You're welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay." the driver says handing Magnolia her suitcase.

  "Thank you and you have a great day."

  "Thank you and same to you." the driver says before getting in his taxi.

  Once he's gone Magnolia looks at the mansion clutching her suitcase and purse. She walks through the gate and upstairs onto the porch. She finds the spare key under the mat and unlocks the door. Upon opening the front door, a musky stench invades Magnolia's nostrils. She scrunches her face while setting her suitcase down and shutting the door. The foyer has a swinging grand staircase leading to the second floor. To the right is the ballroom and to the left is the living room.

  The living room leads to the dining room and kitchen. Magnolia grabs her suitcase and heads to the living room. She sees that the furniture is covered in white sheets. She pces her suitcase next to a small bookcase and goes and removes the sheets from the furniture. There is an antique chaise lounge and an antique table. She walks to the firepce and removes the sheet revealing a picture of her father Curtis Graves. He is in his early thirties in the portrait.

  He has gray eyes and short cold bck hair that is styled in a gelled parted combed over. He is wearing a bck suit, a white button-down shirt, and a bck bow tie. Magnolia smiles at the picture forlornly as tears fill her eyes.

  (Fshback September 1942)

  Fall was in full bloom and the leaves were their normal orange, red, and gold. The branches had blown with the gentle breeze. Magnolia was upstairs in her bedroom getting ready for the Autumn Ga. Her bedroom was decorated with beige walls and white baseboards. In the center of her room was a king-size canopy bed. There were peach canopy drapes surrounding the bed frame. To the right of the bed is a gigantic walk-in closet and to the left is the bathroom.

  There was a mahogany dresser near the entry door. Magnolia sat at her makeup table applying bck eyeliner. Her hair is styled in a Greek bun with loose curls falling down both sides of her face. Her face is covered in light powder, light gold eye shadow, and red lipstick. She gets up and goes to her body mirror. She wore a Greek-style peach dress that flowed elegantly to the floor. She pces her hands on her hips firmly.

  She smiled at her reflection as she headed downstairs. As she descended the staircase her parents cried. Curtis wore navy blue silk pajamas while Erie wore a bck silk nightgown.

  "You look beautiful sweetheart," Erie said joyously in a soft South Carolinian accent.

  "Look at my little girl going to her first Autumn Ga. You look devastatingly beautiful." Curtis said proudly in an Arkansas accent as Magnolia reached the bottom of the staircase.

  "Thank you, Daddy. I hope I'm dressed appropriately." Magnolia said nervously as she looked down at her dress.

  "Don't worry you're going to be the envy of every female tonight," Curtis said reassuringly.

  The doorbell rang as Magnolia went and stood next to her mother. Curtis went to the front door and opened it. Who he saw made him want to vomit. Her date had a dark brown complexion with almond brown eyes. He had on a white bzer with bck pels, bck scks, a bck bow tie, and bck and white dress shoes.

  "Good evening sir I'm Evan Truesdale. I'm here to escort your daughter to the Autumn Ga." Evan said politely in a southern Arkansas accent.

  "Like hell you are. Your nigger ass will not be escorting my little girl anywhere!" Curtis shouted angrily.

  He gres at Magnolia enraged.

  "I can't believe you're entertaining this foolery, Magnolia," Curtis said enraged as he clenched his fists.

  "Daddy, please don't be angry. He's my date for the Autumn Ga, he's also my boyfriend. Please just let us be." Magnolia pleaded tearfully.

  Curtis looked in between Evan and his daughter before he sighed heavily.

  "No daughter of mine will be going anywhere with a nigger let alone courting one," Curtis said defiantly.

  "Get the hell off my property before I lynch you, boy!" Curtis bellowed coldly.

  Magnolia looked at her father in disbelief.

  Erie walked over to Curtis swiftly.

  "Curtis let Magnolia go to the Autumn Ga with her boyfriend," Erie said reasonably as she csped her hand with his.

  "Erie you know full well that whites and niggers aren't allowed to be together. I will not stand for this!" Curtis said stubbornly.

  "Stop being so difficult Daddy!" Magnolia yelled with her fists clenched.

  "As long as I have air in my body, I am your father. Don't you ever take that tone with me again!" Curtis retorted icily while gring at his daughter.

  "I'm going to the Autumn Ga with Evan and I love him!" Magnolia said defiantly as she walked past her father.

  "You're making a huge mistake," Curtis said softly.

  "It's a mistake I'm willing to make for love," Magnolia said as she linked her arm with Evan.

  They walk downstairs to the horse-drawn carriage. Once they were gone Curtis went back inside and smmed the door. Evan helped Magnolia into the carriage. After being settled in the driver pulled on the reins and the horse took off. Upon their arrival, Evan held out his hand which Magnolia gdly took. When they entered the school they walked to the gymnasium. Heads turned and jaws hung low as Evan and Magnolia walked to the dance floor.

  Soon swing music began to py. Evan pced his left hand on her lower back and his right on Magnolia's left. Magnolia pced her right hand on his left shoulder. She gazed into his eyes longingly.

  "Thank you for coming with me," Evan said softly in Magnolia's ear.

  Magnolia soon felt tears mist her eyes.

  "I was going to come with you whether he approved or not," Magnolia said defiantly with a smile.

  "I wish your father could see that I'm a good person," Evan said lowly as he averted his eyes.

  Magnolia used her right hand to bring his eyes to hers and she smiled at him.

  "Me too and to be honest I don't know what my mother sees in him. But one thing I do believe in is true love. With my father no matter how good of a person you are, skin color matters." Magnolia said disgustedly.

  She then leaned forward and kissed him passionately on his lips.

  "Magnolia," Evan whispered shocked and impressed.

  Magnolia pced her chin on his right shoulder.

  "You're my second boyfriend. You've treated me with nothing but respect and kindness. We've had our disagreements, but we moved past them. My father is just being spiteful because I'm not following his vision. I'm not a businesswoman and I don't want to be. All I want to do is be a devoted wife and mother and if that means forfeiting this luxurious life then so be it." Magnolia said tearfully as she met Evan's gaze once more.

  "You deserve that and more," Evan said softly before he leaned down and captured Magnolia's lips.

  Magnolia felt her knees buckle but quickly regained her strength. They danced for another two hours. Afterward, they went to the white cloth-covered tables. On top were yellow sunflowers in gss vases. Evan pulled out Magnolia's chair and she sat down.

  "Would you like some punch?" Evan asked sweetly.

  "I would love some, thank you," Magnolia said appreciatively as she smiled at him.

  Evan returned the smile before he disappeared to the punch table. As Magnolia waited for him a group of Caucasian males approached her. Some wore bck while some wore white or grey suits with bck dress shoes. Some had bow ties and others had ties. Most of their hair was styled in parted comb-overs except for one who had his gelled back.

  "What are you doing at a white's elitist gathering with that nigger?" one of the boys asked with his hands in his pockets.

  "That is none of your concern. Now I don't want any trouble from you gentlemen." Magnolia said firmly as she looked them in their eyes.

  "You brought trouble when you came here with that animal on your arm." the boy rebutted.

  Upon Evan's return, he looked in between Magnolia and the teens.

  "Can I help you guys with something?" Evan asked getting their attention.

  "Why are you here with this beautiful flower?" the boy asked curiously as he walked toward Evan.

  Magnolia rose from her seat and walked over to Evan.

  "We love each other, and skin color shouldn't matter," Magnolia said fiercely.

  The boy looked in between them disgustedly.

  "He doesn't belong here and neither do you." the boy said before he and the group walked off.

  Magnolia looked back at Evan.

  "Here's your punch Magnolia," Evan said suavely as he handed Magnolia her cup.

  "Thank you," Magnolia said as she took the cup.

  After she sipped the red liquid, her eyes lit up.

  "This is absolutely exquisite," Magnolia said looking at her cup.

  "It sure looks good," Evan said in agreement before they walked back to the table.

  Magnolia then finished her punch.

  "Would you like another cup?" Evan asked observantly.

  "No thank you, but I would like to dance again," Magnolia said happily.

  Evan got up and extended his hand. Magnolia took his hand. After going back to the dance floor they resumed their dance.

  After another two hours, Evan took Magnolia home. Upon their arrival, Evan walked her to the front door.

  "Thank you for a lovely evening." Magnolia swooned with her hands csped with Evan's.

  "It was my pleasure," Evan said before he leaned forward and connected his lips with Magnolia's.

  Immediately the front door opened, and Curtis stormed out onto the porch. He grabbed Evan and punched him which caused the boy to stumble downstairs.

  "Daddy! Stop it!" Magnolia yelled as she attempted to restrain her roused father.

  She rushed over to Evan and hovered over him. Seeing this Curtis stopped and backed away. She then helped him sit upright.

  "Are you okay?" Magnolia asked worriedly.

  "I'm fine," Evan said as he looked in Curtis's direction.

  "This nasty bastard put his lips on yours!" Curtis said as he looked down on Evan.

  "Yes, this kind and genteel boy did kiss me and I enjoyed every minute of it. He's my boyfriend and that's what couples do." Magnolia argued.

  "Don't you ever come around here again and if I ever see you with my daughter again, I will kill you myself," Curtis warned.

  "I love you, Magnolia. I'll see you on Monday." Evan said as he struggled to his feet.

  "I love you too and see you Monday," Magnolia said.

  She then walked Evan back to the carriage and helped him inside. Once he left Magnolia walked back inside. As Magnolia ascended the staircase Curtis smmed the door.

  "Get down here young dy!" Curtis yelled.

  Magnolia looked back at him.

  "I forbid you from fraternizing with him again!" Curtis ordered.

  "I will not stop because as I said before I love him!" Magnolia barked defiantly before she stormed upstairs.

  Curtis watched his daughter closely before he headed out the door. He got in his car and started the engine. He drove out onto the street and saw Evan. He parked his car and got out of it. He grabbed Evan and pced him in the trunk. He then drove to a wooded area and parked his car. He got out of the car opened the trunk and pulled Evan out. He then shoved him to the ground.

  Evan got to his feet put up his fists and started to punch Curtis. Curtis wrapped his hands around Evan's throat and kneed him four times in his stomach. Evan wrapped then kneed Curtis in his genitals which caused Curtis to release him. As Evan ran away Curtis chased after him. He soon caught him and grabbed him. He smmed his head into a tree knocking him unconscious. After he watched him fall to the ground Curtis spit on him and walked away.

  The following Monday morning Magnolia and Adeide were headed to school. As they walked down the sidewalk, they smelled something foul. They walked deeper into the woods where they discovered Evan lynched.

  "Evan!" Magnolia screamed tearfully as she dropped to her knees.

  Adeide knelt beside her and wrapped her arms around her comfortingly.

  "Who did this to him?" Adeide asked curiously as she gazed up at him.

  "My father and his friends." Magnolia hissed angrily as tears filled her eyes.

  They returned to Graves Manor where Adeide remained on the porch. Magnolia meanwhile went to her father's study. When she arrived she knocked on the door.

  "Come in," Curtis said calmly.

  Magnolia opened the door and stormed in. She pointed her finger at him tearfully.

  "You lynched Evan?!" Magnolia asked outraged.

  "Yes, I did, and fucking riddance. One less nigger to worry about." Curtis said proudly with a smirk on his face.

  "How could you do that to him?! No need to answer that question because I know the answer. You're a selfish bastard who's only out for himself and upholding your stelr reputation. You knew the pain it would cause me, and you did it anyway. You are despicable and I am ashamed to call you my father!" Magnolia said boldly.

  Curtis rose from his chair and walked over to his daughter. He grimaced before he spped her. Magnolia held her throbbing cheek while she looked her father in his eyes.

  "I was protecting you. Had I not done it that nigger and his friends would have raped you. I refuse to have a chocote grandchild!" Curtis said furiously as he gred down at his daughter.

  "He was a nice boy who treated me like the bell that I am. You took my one ounce of happiness away. I hope you're proud of yourself. When I turn eighteen and move out, I will never speak to you again!" Magnolia said with her hands resting on her hips.

  "And not a dime of my money will follow or protect you," Curtis said sharply folding his arms.

  "You can't control me with money. I hope you have a concrete answer for God when you meet him for judgment day." Magnolia said before she stormed out of the study.

  Tears then streamed down his face.

  (End of Fshback)

  Tears stream down Magnolia's face.

  "Who knows what Evan and I could have been. I still love and miss you very much, Daddy." Magnolia sniffles.

  She takes the sheets to the undry room. The undry room is rge with four long shelves on each side. There are also two rge tables at the bottom to fold clothes. Magnolia pces the sheets in the washing machine and grabs a bottle of undry detergent. She pours it in and starts the washer. She then goes to the kitchen. The kitchen still has its old appliances.

  The cabinets are a mix of mahogany wood and gss with diamond knobs. The gas stove is metal with a titanium steel handle. The counters are marble. Magnolia goes to the sink and turns the diamond knobs on the faucet. Water runs into the sink.

  "After all these years water still runs through the faucet? Someone has been here recently. Regardless I will not allow Titus to buy this house and convert it into something so inhumane." Magnolia says determinedly before going to the study.

  Everything is still as she remembers. She goes to the safe and puts in the combination. Once it's open, she finds both wills and goes to the living room. She grabs her purse and suitcase and heads upstairs to her bedroom. When she arrives, she sees her room is covered in sheets as well. She walks over to the nightstand and pces the wills in the drawer. She sets down her belongings and removes the sheets to see her canopy bed is still intact. This brings tears to Magnolia's eyes.

  "Daddy, did you do this?" Magnolia asks running her hand over the peach drape.

  She then goes into her bathroom and flips the switch to no effect. She goes into her linen closet and finds some candles. She lights one and sets it on the counter. She undresses and turns on the shower head. While the water warms up Magnolia goes and retrieves her outfit and toiletries from her suitcase. She then sighs relieved before heading back into the bathroom.

  Back in Angelcrest Billy is in the dining room having breakfast. He is wearing a navy blue suit, a bck tie, and a pair of shiny bck dress shoes. He is eating a blueberry bagel with cream cheese and a gss of orange juice. He is reading the newspaper chuckling when Bnche comes in. She's wearing a sleeveless bright orange dress with polka dots, bck stockings, and a pair of white ft shoes. Her hair is styled in a beehive. Her face is made up of brown eyeliner, orange eye shadow, and red lipstick.

  "Good morning baby, how did you sleep?" Bnche asks sitting down across from him.

  Billy lowers his newspaper and smiles at his wife.

  "Good morning sweetheart. I slept swell."

  "That's good, so what's your pns for today?" Bnche asks making herself a bagel.

  "There's a vacant building in southwest Angelcrest that's for sale. I want to buy it and expand Sally Mae's."

  "Well, you know I support you one hundred percent,"

  "Thank you, so what are you doing today?" Billy asks before biting his bagel.

  "I was going to take Huey to Angelcrest Elite Academy," Bnche says spreading cream cheese over her bagel.

  Billy's eyes widen with shock.

  "Angelcrest Elite Academy? That school is for South Carolina's white elite."

  "That's true but I want Huey to become more immersed with people of different backgrounds,"

  "Bnche, honey I don't think that's a wise decision,"

  "Why not?"

  "This is a racist city and state we live in. The st thing these Caucasians want is for someone of color to attend their elitist utopia. I don't want Huey fighting every day for being himself." Billy says sipping his juice.

  "I don't want that either, but I don't feel public schools are educating any ethnicity besides Caucasians. I just want the best education to be avaible to our son." Bnche says finishing her bagel.

  "I want that too but not at a violent or fatal cost. School should be comfortable for all especially us." Billy says closing his newspaper.

  "I'll take him down there now since enrollment is open."

  Billy sighs getting up and going to peck Bnche on her lips.

  "Good luck. If he gets denied don't say I didn't warn you."

  "I won't let that happen,"

  Billy grabs his briefcase off the counter and leaves.

  Bnche sighs heavily before going upstairs to Huey's bedroom.

  Huey is painting another portrait. This time it depicts a man who is bound by chains. He is wearing a tattered brown shirt and torn brown pants. He has his hands resting on his temples. As he finishes painting the background a soft knock comes on his door.

  "Come in," Huey says keeping his fixation on his work.

  The door opens and Bnche walks in.

  "Hey honey, how are you?" Bnche asks shutting the door.

  "I'm fine."

  "So, your father is going to look at a new building for his undromat business. Meanwhile, I want to take you to enroll at Angelcrest Elite Academy." Bnche says getting Huey to turn toward her.

  "No ma'am I can't do that."

  "You haven't even seen the institution yet," Bnche says chuckling.

  "The name says it all. It is an elitist institution where only Caucasians are successful. Thank you but no thank you. I'd rather go to a public school and fight every now and then." Huey says before getting up and going into his bathroom.

  "Your father and I don't want you fighting anymore. This school might be what you need."

  "I doubt there will be anyone there I can rete to,"

  "Please, just give it a chance."

  Huey sighs heavily.

  "I know I'm going to regret this. But I will do this for you."

  Bnche hugs him tightly.

  "Thank you, honey, we'll be leaving in an hour," Bnche says excitedly before leaving Huey's room.

  Huey takes a moment to look at his painting smiling etedly. He then goes and goes to his closet and searches for an outfit.

  Next door the Lexington's are out in the backyard having fun. Titus and Bobby are pying baseball. The others are inside. Emma is in the living room talking to her boyfriend on the phone. She is wearing a pink top with white scks and some pink shoes. Her hair is styled in high pigtails with a swoop. Ivy and Johnny meanwhile are in her bedroom talking.

  Ivy is wearing a burgundy short-sleeve dress. Her hair is styled in a bouffant with a swoop on her forehead. She is lying on her bed looking up at the ceiling. On her left wrist is a diamond bracelet. Johnny is wearing a white polo shirt, gray khaki shorts, and some white tennis shoes. He is sitting on the chest at the foot of Ivy's bed.

  "I miss Mother," Johnny says sullenly.

  "I do too. When she returns, I'm sure this will be the first pce she comes to." Ivy says reassuringly before sitting up in her bed.

  "Let's hope you're right. So, what's new with you?"

  "We have some new neighbors, and their son is very attractive,"

  This piques Johnny's interest who turns around smiling.

  "How does he look?" Johnny asks enthusiastically pcing his chin in his hands.

  "He has a sand brown complexion with the most beautiful chocote brown eyes I've ever seen. His dark brown hair is styled in a deep finger wave comb-over." Ivy swoons.

  "He sounds very nice looking,"

  "But he doesn't like me."

  Johnny's smile disappears and is repced with confusion.

  "Who wouldn't like you? You're the most likable person in the world."

  This makes Ivy chuckle.

  "Thanks for the support baby brother but it's something I've come to accept."

  "What exactly happened to make him dislike you?"

  "I'm Caucasian and he and his father don't like us because of what our ancestors did."

  "That's not well founded at all. Yes, our ancestors were horrible but we're not them. I can't believe people hold onto things they never experienced."

  "I agree but I don't think Huey should take that out on me,"

  "Come on. I want to make some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."

  They go downstairs to the kitchen.

  Out in the backyard, Bobby is standing next to his father.

  "Hey, Dad I need to tell you something," Bobby says as Titus hits the ball into the trees.

  "What is it, son?"

  "I tried to shoot one of the niggers from next door recently."

  Titus smiles at him.

  "Are they dead?"

  "No, she was saved by her bastard son," Bobby says angrily.

  Titus pces a reassuring hand on Bobby's shoulder.

  "That's okay. Keep trying until you succeed. We don't need any of those animals defiling our beautiful city." Titus says encouragingly making Bobby smile.

  "Thanks, Dad,"

  "You're welcome. I hate to end the game here, but I need to handle some business."

  "Okay, I'll see you ter," Bobby says before going to retrieve the ball.

  Titus goes inside to his bedroom and takes a shower. When he finishes he steps out and puts on a gray suit, a bck tie, and bck dress shoes. He looks at his reflection and smiles arrogantly. He then grabs his car keys and heads downstairs.

  Billy is in southwest Angelcrest standing in the middle of a building. He is standing with an agent looking around the recently renovated establishment. The walls are painted sky blue with white baseboards. The floors are marble. The agent has on a bck suit with a tie. His complexion is reminiscent of caramel. He has hazel eyes and thin lips.

  His hair is styled in a pompadour.

  The floor is tile and the walls are painted sky blue. There are three rooms, two bathrooms, and an office.

  "What do you think Mr. Cohen?" the agent asks looking at Billy.

  "I love it. This would be the perfect pce to have Sally Mae's."

  "Good. Well, this pce is below market value. It's worth forty thousand but we're willing to sell it for ten."

  Billy looks at him in disbelief.

  "Ten thousand dolrs?! I can write you a check right now and close the deal." Billy says taking out his checkbook.

  "Whoa, there tiger I'll call my boss so we can draw up the contract."

  "That sounds like a pn. When your boss is ready you can give me a call and we can meet here." Billy says handing him a business card.

  "Great, you'll hear from me by the end of the week," the agent says before shaking Billy's hand.

  "I look forward to it," Billy says shaking the agent's hand.

  They then leave the building.

  Bnche and Huey pull into the Angelcrest Elite Academy parking lot. The eborate institution is three stories high. It was built in the Jeffersonian style. The city fg and wolf mascot fg are blowing proudly side by side. Huey gets out of the car and looks at the school in a distrusting fashion. He is wearing a short-sleeve bck colr shirt with brown khaki pants, a bck belt, and bck dress shoes. His hair is styled in a comb-over.

  When they get to the front door Bnche and Huey look at each other nervously. They then walk through the school doors. On both sides of the foyer are several offices and pictures of faculty and staff. Straight ahead is the cafeteria and two hallways.

  A woman dressed in a sleeveless white dress and a bck bzer approaches them. She is in her early thirties with dark blue eyes. Her hair is combed back with a white headband on top of her head.

  "Good morning and welcome to Angelcrest Elite Academy, my name is Charlotte Presgow," Charlotte says extending her hand.

  Bnche extends her hand smiling.

  "Good morning Ms. Presgow I'm Bnche Cohen and this is my son Huey," Bnche says proudly looking at Huey.

  Charlotte looks over at Huey with an unreadable expression.

  "Good morning Huey," Charlotte says extending her hand. Huey looks at her hand before shaking it.

  "Good morning," Huey says monotonously.

  "Are you here to apply?" Charlotte asks csping her hands together.

  "Yes," Bnche says answering for Huey.

  'Very well, right this way." Charlotte says leading them to her office.

  When they get there, they see a rge pot pnt to the left of the desk. The walls are decorated with certificates and degrees. Behind Charlotte's desk is a bookshelf filled with colored coordinated binders. On her desk are a name pte, a mp, a pen cup, and a cup filled with peppermints. Charlotte hands Bnche a clipboard with the application and a bck ink pen. As she fills it out Charlotte looks over at Huey.

  "So, tell me Huey why are you applying for this educational institute?"

  Charlotte asks csping her hands together.

  Before he can answer a knock comes on the door.

  "Come in," Charlotte says not taking her eyes off Huey.

  When the door opens Titus walks in.

  "Good morning Charlotte," Titus says getting the Cohen's attention.

  Titus stares at Bnche and Huey and vice versa.