Read Online No Crystal Stair by Eva Rutland - Free Book Online

an unfamiliar aura. Rob. She’d never known anyone quite like him. He had an adventurous competitive spirit, so evident in the way he played. Hard. At tennis, cards, whatever. She felt herself staining to keep up.
    If he was an eager participant, he also had high expectations.
    â€œHell, Randy. This isn’t a golf course. It’s a cow pasture,” Rob said as he glanced over the roughly hewn nine-hole course that accommodated members of the Negro country club. “Do we have to play here?”
    â€œWe do.” Randy’s deep-blue eyes twinkled.
    â€œWhat about that course we passed as we came into town?” Fabulous fairways. Isn’t it public?”
    â€œIt is.”
    â€œWell?’
    Randy turned, grinning as he put down his golf bag. “Well now, sonny, I know you’ve lived in our lovely South for only a few months. But mostly you’ve been caged up at the airfield learning to fly. You don’t get around much.’ Randy thickened his Southern drawl. ”Let me explain about the language down here. Down here, ‘public’ means ‘white.’ Now, do I tee off first or do you?”

    Rob set his jaw, tightened his grip on the golf club and whacked the ball viciously.
    That night Rob was again visibly annoyed when he and Ann Elizabeth went to see a film at the Fox Theater. The Fox was a beautiful building fashioned like an Egyptian palace. A wide stone staircase on the outside of the building led to the colored section. It was ornate, impressive—and steep.
    Rob hesitated as he gazed up. “Do we have to climb this?”
    â€œWe do.”
    He pretended to pant as they climbed. “Only for you,” he said as they reached the top. “Only for you.”
    â€œBut it’s so lovely up here!” Ann Elizabeth exclaimed, leaning against the waist-high balustrade and gesturing at the sky above.
    â€œLovely.” Rob echoed. But he was looking at her.
    The movie was a romance, and its mood followed them into the night. They walked down the steps holding hands, and on the drive back Ann Elizabeth sat close to Rob, her head on his shoulder. When he halted at a stop sign, his lips touched her hair and his finger brushed against her cheek. She felt warm, safe and loved.
    As they drove off, a siren wailed behind them. Rob pulled to the curb and stopped Ann Elizabeth sat up and looked at the police car that had pulled in behind them, its red light flashing. Fear churned in her stomach. She had never been stopped by the police, but Randy had. And others. The episode at the Subers’ house flashed through his mind. The police could be quite... quite... Dear God, what had they done?
    Two policemen sauntered to the car. One peered in at Rob.
    â€œWhy didn’t you stop at that stop sign, boy?” The tone was belligerent, ugly.
    â€œI did stop.” Rob sounded puzzled. “Why—”
    â€œWho the hell you talking to, nigger?”
    Ann Elizabeth held her breath. Prayed.

    â€œWell, I did stop!” Rob’s voice was louder now and firm.
    The policeman wrenched open the door, grabbed Rob by the collar. “On your feet, nigger! Don’t you know how to talk to a white man?”
    â€œI only said—”Rob protested as he was yanked out of the car. The policeman’s fist shot out and connected with Rob’s chin. The car rocked slightly as Rob fell against it.
    Ann Elizabeth quickly slid over to the driver’s seat and leaned out. “Oh, please, sir—”
    â€œHey, Bud, wait!” It was the other policeman who spoke.
    â€œWait hell! Didn’t you hear that way that nigger was talking to me?”The officer stepped toward Rob, his billy club raised.
    â€œOh, please, sir.” Ann Elizabeth said, anxiously emphasizing the “sir.” “He didn’t mean any disrespect. He’s not from down here, sir, and—”
    â€œOh, we got a Yankee nigger here, huh, girlie?” The