The Governor's Sons by Maria McKenzie Page A

I’m doing alright, too, sir.”
    “Oh, Russell!” Kitty laughed.   “Don’t be so modest.   Why, his family owns the biggest and the best Colored mortuary—”
    “Catherine.” Russell wore a serious expression as he addressed her. “Why don’t we talk about something else, like Mr. Ash, here.”
    “Why can’t we talk about you?”   Ash said, with an edge of intimidation.   He slung an arm over the back of his chair, then raised his head.   “Gonna be a mortician, are you?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “So, you’ll be taking them out the world, while my brother’s bring them into it.   He’s an obstetrician.”   Ash hesitated.   “I could never be a doctor.   I can’t stomach the blood.   And I know I couldn’t work around a bunch of dead people.”  
    Russell laughed a little, but to Kitty it sounded like he was clearing dust from his throat.   “You’d get used to it.”
    “Mr. Ash is gonna be a lawyer,” Kitty said.
    “So’s Thomas.   That’s my beau.” Betty Jean said, smiling at Ash. “He’ll be graduating from Maretta’s law school next year.”
    A knock sounded at the back door and Kitty left the table to answer it.   It was Thomas.   After greeting him, she showed him inside.   Ash stood as they approached and Kitty introduced them.
    Thomas wore an expensive gray nails head suit.   He was about Russell’s height, but broader through the shoulders with a thicker build.   His features were handsome, and his hair, wavy and brown.   His light complexion was similar to Betty Jean’s.
    Kitty offered iced tea, but Thomas declined.   “I think we ought to be leaving,” he said.   “It’s getting late.”
    Russell stood up.   “I think that’s a good idea.”
    “Why do we need to leave right now?” Betty Jean asked.   “We have plenty of time.”
    “I insist,” Thomas prodded.   “We want to get a good table.”
    “But—”
    “Betty Jean,” Thomas said firmly, “this is no time to argue.”
    “If you say so,” Betty Jean relented.
    “I’ll need to get our things from Aunt Izolla’s room.”   Kitty disappeared down the small hallway and moments later returned with their handbags, hats, shawls, and gloves, plus a shopping bag containing their day clothes.
    The sisters attired themselves as they prepared to leave.
    As Thomas and Russell moved toward the door, Ash said, “It was nice meeting y’all.” They nodded in his direction and grumbled their good-byes.
    Escorted by their gentlemen callers, Kitty and Betty Jean wished Mr. Ash a good evening as they departed through the back door.
    “Have fun,” Ash said half-heartedly.
    The door was partially closed for only a few moments before Kitty ran back inside to retrieve two fans.   Ash’s back faced her and he didn’t realize she was there.   But Kitty was just in time to see him slam his fist into the plaster wall.   Quickly grabbing the fans, she slipped out.   Ash had never seen her.   He was too preoccupied with the pain.
    ****
    Kitty fanned away, sitting in the back seat of Thomas’s large blue Chevrolet.   Betty Jean sat next to her, while Russell and Thomas sat up front.   All remained silent until Thomas said,      “Working in a white man’s kitchen--that’s something I’ll never allow a daughter of mine to do.”   Driving to the church, he took his eyes from the road and glanced briefly at the girls in the rear view mirror.
    “The Kroth’s are decent people.” Kitty defended them.
    “Well, I wanted to get out of that cracker’s house fast,” Thomas said.   “Just what was that white boy doin’ in the kitchen with a bunch of nigguhs, anyway, spyin’ on y’all?”
    Betty Jean crossed her legs.   “Mr. Ash is a gentleman.”
    “That’s right,” Kitty said.   “Mr. Ash, Mr. Heath, and their daddy, Mr. Louis—all three of them are gentlemen.”
    “And just as sweet as pie.” Betty Jean smiled.   “Not a week goes by that Mr. Louis doesn’t give us