Officer Clemmons. Dr. François S. Clemmons

Elaine said that her parents wanted to talk with me after school. I was so nervous that I almost didn’t go, but Elaine insisted. Her parents were in their fifties and seemed more like grandparents to me than parents. They were kind and patient and listened to all I had to say. It occurred to me that Grandmama Laura Mae might look like Mrs. Logan . . . and I liked her even more for that reason. She seemed to be very wise and never in a hurry. Elaine was lucky to have a mother like that.

      We discussed the circumstances of my family situation thoughtfully. It was finally agreed that I would bring my things on Saturday and become a member of their family for as long as I needed to stay there. Elaine would come by in the car. For the first time in months, maybe years, I began to relax. I slept that night knowing I would soon be free of the anxiety and stress that had become my daily family life.

      When Saturday came, I got up early, gathered my things together, and stayed out of sight of my parents. I kept watching and listening and kept the door to my room closed. I turned on the radio to cover any noise. Dinah Washington was singing “Unforgettable.” Nobody seemed to notice anything unusual. I prayed that they would leave the house before Elaine arrived so that I wouldn’t have to fight or explain where I was going. After a while, I finally realized that their voices were gone. I heard the car drive down the side of the house and out to the street. I ran to the bathroom to see them turn left and head off. I instinctively felt that they would be gone for a while. I quickly called Elaine. Mrs. Logan told me that she had already left to pick me up. What timing!

      Life in the Logan household had a really different energy and shape than our house. Everyone went to bed early—no exceptions! Everyone got up early because Mrs. Logan said so. She never called to me twice. I didn’t want to do anything to change my good relationship with her. So I went to bed early and got used to being awakened whenever she called. However, I was rarely up before I had to be. I liked my sleep, but I also liked the attention. It was like someone wanted me to get up and be with them and share in family things. I ate breakfast with the whole family. Whatever Mrs. Logan cooked was fine with me. I helped cook and often washed the dishes. It was the least I could do considering how kind she was to me. Elaine’s brother and sister were happy with this arrangement! There were no loud voices or fights. I seriously wondered if Reverend and Mrs. Logan ever had an argument. To me, their relationship was perfect. I was always treated fairly and kindly by everyone, including Prentiss, their only son, and Malvina Louise, their youngest daughter, who was quite a live wire. She loved popular music as much as I did, and we used to listen to Motown in secret.

      There was no smoking, no drinking, and no dancing. Mrs. Logan had laid down the law. I was given my chores and expected to study hard after school and go to church every Sunday. So what else was new?

      The dancing part was the hardest for me. I loved to jitterbug and do the twist. Both Elaine and I were pretty good at it. It was the one forbidden thing I kept doing, but only when the Logans were away or I practiced at my other friends’ houses. Elaine kept our secret. She was like a sister to me and helped me to learn the new routines.