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

policeman’s eyes moved insinuatingly over her body. Rob stirred, and the officer turned back to him, his club raised. “Well, maybe we need to teach him a few things.’
    The other officer intervened, quickly pulling his partner away. Rob was still leaning against the car. Ann Elizabeth reached out and touched his arm. They waited, hearing scattered words.
    â€œMilitary... trouble... nigger club... nigger, ain’t he?”
    Then the first officer came back, rocking on his heels he looked at Rob. “What’s your name, boy?”
    Ann Elizabeth pressed Rob’s arm hard.
    â€œRobert Metcalf... sir.”
    The policeman grinned. “Lemme see your license.”
    Rob produced it.
    â€œHumph! From that nigger airfield, huh?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œThink you’ll ever fly one of them planes?”
    â€œWe try, sir.”
    â€œWell, just as long as you fly in your own territory, hear?”

    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œThis here your car?”
    No, sir. Her brother’s.”
    â€œYou all going up to that nigger club?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œUh-huh.” The officer’s glance traveled over Ann Elizabeth again. “Gonna do a little smooching, huh?”
    Ann Elizabeth tightened her grip on Rob’s arm.
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œYou know you didn’t stop at that sign back there!”
    â€œSorry, sir. I didn’t realize.”
    â€œWell, we’re gonna let you off this time. But you better be careful, boy. Watch where you goin’. You ain’t in one of them planes now, you know. You can get in a heap of trouble ’round here.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Finally the policeman rejoined his partner, and slowly, deliberately, the two walked toward the squad car. Rob didn’t move and Ann Elizabeth held her breath. When the police reached their car, the more belligerent officer swiveled around to give them a searching look. Then he climbed inside, executed a U-turn and drove away in the opposite direction.
    Rob picked up his hat, got into the car and sat with his head thrown back, breathing deeply. “Son of a bitch!” he muttered. “Goddamn son of—” He broke off. “I’m sorry,” he said with an awkwardness that twisted her heart. She knew the apology was more for his helpless posture than for the profanity.
    â€œRob, I ...” What could she say? It was like that time at the Subers’ with her father. She felt his shame, his humiliation. “Rob, I was so proud of you.”
    He sat up and stared at her. “Proud? When I just stood there and let that—”
    â€œThat’s just it. You restrained yourself.”
    â€œThose guns and billy clubs kind of influenced me.”

    â€œI know. They could have killed you and never looked back. If you’d made one move, one gesture. But you didn’t. You backed down.”
    â€œLike a coward.” Rob’s voice was bitter.
    â€œLike a sensible man who knows what a redneck bigot with a badge and a billy club can do.” Tears filled her eyes. “Rob, I would have died. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.” He was looking at her, his gaze intense. “I know it wasn’t easy for you to back down. But I’m glad you did. I’m so proud of you.”
    â€œAnn Elizabeth, you are some kind of lady!” He tried to smile and winced.
    She raised one hand and gingerly touched his chin, which was beginning to swell. “We’ll have to put some ice on that. Let’s get Randy and go home.”
    â€œOh, Rob!” She kissed him ever so gently on his bruised lip, then pressed her face against the hollow of his throat. His arms wound around her, holding her close for a long long time.
    Julia Belle Washington Carter didn’t know it then, but she was to have her August wedding, after all.

CHAPTER 4
    August 1942
    Â 
    â€œ H ey,Rob,you done made a mistake, man! You in the