[IC] Color Doesn't Matter

[Ayesha]

“Gee whiz, look at the time! Bid Daddy, I'm off now.” Hanging up his apron in his locker, Shawn gave the aging cook a wave. He grabbed his jacket, throwing it on as he started to leave. His shift ended an hour ago, but he always got caught up in the rush and ended up leaving when it was dark outside. It should not be a big deal, but a black man like himself should not be out on the streets after curfew.

The place he worked at was the only colored diner in town, not that there was a sign that said “no whites allowed.” The owners would not mind at all if some peaceful white folk wanted to come inside to dine. Shawn doubted that would happen anytime soon.

Shelly was a tall gal and her husband Randy was a short guy with a huge fro to make him seem taller. Shawn thought they were the grooviest couple he knew. He was older than both of them by at least ten years. They often teased him because he did not have a lady friend and he was pushing thirty.

“Just a moment, Shawn.”

Pausing, he turned around to see the cook walking over to him. The cook placed a bag in his hands. Shawn grinned, feeling a flush come to his cheeks. All the money he had was used to pay his rent and to care for his little sister. There were many days when Shawn went without eating so that she could. Big Daddy knew this.

“Thank you, Leroy.”

Leroy was like a father to Shawn. He was nearly seventy, though he didn't let that stop him.

“There is enough there for you and a lady friend.”

Shawn rolled his eyes. “Oh daddy'o, you know I don't have a sweetie in my life.” Everyone thought Leroy was somewhat “out to lunch” but he was a great guy. Shawn took the food, knowing it would be his only meal until tomorrow night.

“If you write more of your fancy music, you can reel one in,” Leroy said with a barking laugh.

Next to his sister, music was Shawn's life. He could play almost anything and even had a decent voice, if he thought so himself. Everyone at the diner always asked about his music.

“I'll keep that in mind,” He told him. Leaving the store, he looked around, wary of what could be waiting around the corner. He was not a huge man, though not a small man by any means either and he knew a thing or two about defending himself. His Momma made sure they learned young. He hadn't been targeted in his adult years, but he remembered as a child, how often he would get teased and in the worst cases beat to a bloody pulp.

If a black kid hit a white kid, he'd find himself in loads of trouble, but if a white kid hit a black kid, it seemed nobody cared, or else everyone was too afraid to do anything about it.

Not Shawn. He'd defend a kid, even an adult, if he saw someone messing with them.

About to turn the corner that would lead to his street, his ears pick up something they shouldn't be hearing, at least three guys hooting and hollering and the sound of a girl pleading for them to leave her alone.

'I won't let this go. It's a low blow for anyone to be ganging up on a woman, no matter her skin color.'

When he ran around the corner, he got a big shock, because the boys were white as he expected, but the girl was white as well.

'Picking on their own kind?' He took one look at the woman and saw that her dress had been ripped, she had a bruise on her cheek and her things were scattered around her feet. The boys looked about fifteen or sixteen, all smartly dressed. Rich kids.

'They are aiming to gang-' He couldn't even finish his thought. The idea was too repulsive for him to think.

'I have to make sure she is safe! I have to step in. Think about this being your sister. You would hope someone helped her! How can they do this to her?' Shawn put down his package, cracked his knuckles and ran head first into the main kid, the one who looked to be the leader. Everyone was shocked to see a big black guy pop out of nowhere. To these boys he must really seem huge, because now that he was closer, he saw that they were just skinny little kids.

He could only imagine the terror that must be in the girl's eyes, but he hoped she realized he was trying to help. Most whites distrust blacks. Shawn couldn't blame her if she felt wary. It was how they were raised.

The first kid got a punch to the gut. He doubled over in pain and Shawn held back, giving him a chance to run. The other two seem unsure if they should attack him or flee.

“Go,” He grunted to them. “Now.”

The sound in his voice got the two followers moving. They looked at each other with wide frightened eyes and raced away, leaving their leader cursing after them. The leader took a step toward Shawn as if to attack, but stopped.

Taking a step back, he glanced at the girl quickly to make sure she was out of harms way, almost missing the knife the kid pulled. He came toward him with a yell.

“Big mistake.” And it was a big mistake, because now his life had been threatened and his only choice was to protect myself. He sidestepped, grabbed the arm that held the knife and twisted. He heard a crunch.

'I know I broke something. Part of me regrets having to go that far and I can only hope the girl doesn't think I'm a monster.'

The boy dropped to the ground, tears coming to his eyes.

“Don't ever do this again, you hear me? You go home and you tell your friends.” He nudged him, bent down and picked up the dropped knife. “Go. Rethink your values.”

The boy stood up and ran as if the devil chased after him. He looked again at the girl, trying to figure out if her terror was because of what he had done to the boy or because of what the kids might have done to her if he had not showed up.

He went over to her. “Are you all right lady?” He offered her his hand, knowing the chance of her taking it was not very good.

[HylianRose]

Robin rubbed her neck and let out a tired sigh as the kids all went outside to have lunch. It was moments like these that kept her sane. Slowly, she walked over to her desk and pulled out her small lunch bag from the drawer and set it out on her desk. She sat down, the chair softly creaking. She chuckled. It was also this moment of silence that helped her keep her head. She smiled at the old taped up drawing on her desk. She remembered it clearly...

---

She smiled to herself as she sat in one corner of her room, her crayons strewn all over. She picked up her master piece and looked at it gleefully. On the paper were two stick figures, herself and Rita. One drawn in black crayon and the other tan. Across the top, in only the best scribbles an 8 year old could manage said, Best Freinds Forevr She could hear the sound of footsteps and quickly, small hands and feet were scrambling to get up off of the ground as someone entered the room. Robin hid the picture behind her back, turning to see who it was. Her heart sank and her smiled faded at the sight of her father.

"Robin? What are you doing?! That is your best Sunday dress! Come, let's clean this mess up. It's time for your piano lesson. You're late!" He scolded her, his eyes harsh and unforgiving. Little Robin shifted in her spot, the drawing still hidden behind her back. She knew her father didn't like her relationship with Ms. Rita and he'd be angry at the drawing... "What's that you've got behind your back, Robin? Let me see." He told her, snatching from her hands before she could say anything. She felt her heart sink, her head lowering, cowering under his shadow. She could feel his hands shaking, the anger growing. "What the hell is this?! DON'T EVER DO THIS AGAIN. THIS WOMAN IS NOT YOUR FRIEND! SHE IS YOUR EMPLOYEE." He barked at the young girl. He ripped up the drawing and pulled her away to her piano lesson, his face angry and cold.

Later that day, she came back to her room to find Rita sitting on her bed, something in her hands. The small girl walked over to Rita, her hands shaking, the fear of her father's rage still ingrained in her mind. She gulped and got closer. As she did, Rita looked up with a small smile on her face, the piece of the picture in her hands. "Bless you, my child..." She whispers, tears spilling from her eyes.

---

Robin sighed and closed her eyes. She'd kept that picture and eventually taped it back together. Everyday, it reminded her of her promise to Rita. She ate her lunch in silence, relishing the moment she had to herself and when she was done and walked outside and rang the bell for the students to come back inside. She stood by the door and they filed inside. Once they were all seated, she went on with her day. Every so often she see Philip throw a piece of paper at Leo, one of the few colored students in the class. Robin would simply walk over, continuing her lesson and stand nearby Philip, the throwing stopped and the day continued. Soon, she noticed two other boys near Philip, Reggie and John, join in and mess with one of the other colored students, Freeya. They'd put pieces of paper in the poor girl's hair and poke her with their pencils. Eventually, enough was enough and Robin walked over to them. "You three." She began, standing above them. "Stay after today. We need to talk." She told them and went on with her lesson, ignoring their bad behavior for now.

The day ended and the boys never showed up to her. She sighed, deciding she'd just have to take time tomorrow to deal with them in front of the class. If this was how they were going to act, this was how she was going to have to deal with it. If that didn't work, she'd have to contact their parents. Done with grading papers for the day, Robin put everything up and packed up her bag, heading out. As she walked down the street, she heard something. A small sniffling coming from one of the alleys. She sighed, resigned, and followed the sound, only to see the three boys from before.

"We'd like you to stay after class today, Ms. Robin." One jeered.

"Yeah, stay after class, nigger lover." Another quipped, his words sharp and his eyes slanted.

"Just stay still and maybe we won't hurt you." Philip, the leader explained, a wide grin growing on his face.

Robin's eyes grew large, fear growing but she quelled it, not wanting them to see it. "Why I never!" She shouted. With that the boys lunged at her. Her bags feel as they tore at her, swinging punches and ripping her dress. She tried her best to keep her eyes on the boys, never letting them show pain, the look of a teacher that deeply cares for her students. She never threw a punch in self defense, though she knew how. She knew there had to be some other way to deal with this.

Suddenly, a big colored man jumped in, cracking his knuckles. Her eyes grew wide and she yelled out, "No!" but it was too late. The man punched Philip hard in the gut, causing him to double over, the other two ran. She watched with wide eyes as the colored man turned to look at her, worry in his eyes. He couldn't see the knife that Philip had pulled. Robin pulled her hands over her mouth, muffling a gasp. Why are they like this? What have we done to them? She closed her eyes, tears forming in them. She heard the crunch and her eyes shot back open to see Philip running, his arm bent in a way it shouldn't.

“Are you all right lady?” The man asked, offering her his hand. She looked down at it, remembered her father's anger. She closed her eyes and wiped the tears away. She took the man's hand but once she was upright, she let it go. "They... They aren't all like that. I just..." She began, trying to come up with some excuse for her behavior. For the most part she blamed herself. She sighed. "I just wish they'd use that clever talent they have in class rather than trying to get back at me." She chuckled, looking up at the man. "Thank you for saving me. Though, I must wonder what will come of you when they're parents find out." She told him, looking up at him, her eyes crystal clear. "I'm Robin. Robin Cartwright." She told him, holding out her hand for him to shake.

[Ayesha]

“I don't know ma'am. I was not thinking about my own safety when I came to your aide. I would hope that the boys keep quiet. How would they explain what they were about to do to you? Surely, your ripped dress and injuries are proof enough. I dare say, at least two of the boys were only following the bigger one. If that bodes well for me or not, I could not say." He shook his head and looked down at his feet. "It may be in my favor that they did not get a good look at my face. I'm afraid things went way too far."

"Ma'am, they shouldn't come back, but would you want me to escort you home?” He looked at her feet and noticed her spilled bag of groceries. Her dinner by the looks of it.

"Oh dear, I've been rude. I'm Shawn Washington. It's very nice to meet you, but such a shame it could not have been under better circumstances." Though, how he would have met this woman under normal circumstances, he had no idea. She was very pretty. Probably had a line of suitors. Shawn shook the thought from his head. It was no use thinking about things like that.

“I have some dinner we could share,” he said, feeling a blush creep up onto his cheeks. "Uh- but I understand if that isn't to your liking. I mean... should I leave?" He scratched his head. "No... I really should walk you home, though that might looks strange to your neighbors. Oh dear, and what about your dress? How would that be explained?"

Look at me, a nearly thirty year old man stuttering like a fool around a pretty white girl. If my momma could see me know.

[HylianRose]

She let out a small sigh, relieved that the boys didn't seem to get a good look at his face. She took in a deep breath at his offer to escort her home, thinking about what the others would think. She wanted to protect this man as much as she could from those with a stronger mind to just lock him up for staring at them. She looked up at him, at his dark eyes and dark skin. Shawn.. Washington. A fitting name for such a gentleman.

She managed a small chuckled at his next remark. She smiled at him, a warm smile meant to make him feel better. "Thank you Mr. Washington. I'd love to. If you're willing to wait, I can go get another dress from the store down the road. I'm not so prideful as to not have the courage to walk down the road by myself to get a dress. Though... provided the circumstance... would you mind waiting here for me? I don't want anyone to think this was your fault." She explained, looking down at her feet. She could feel the sting of the bruises on her cheek and arm. Bruises that would be hard to hide.

"Actually, no." She began, standing up a bit more straight, looking Shawn in the eye. I'm not going to let these people back me into a corner. "You are more than welcome to walk me to the clothing store. If they have anything to say, they'll have to go through me." She told him, walking over. She smiled up at him. "I don't hit my students but I'm not completely defenseless either." She told him, winking at him.

And I'm not afraid to stand up for what I think is right. Besides, if I teach my students without regard to their color, I should treat the people of this community kindly regardless of their color. She shivered at the thought of her father's hand on her cheek. It hurt worse than the pain caused by those kids. Still, she couldn't forget the face of Rita, that day she'd found Robin's torn up picture. Or the day Rita died, protecting her. She couldn't let that go to waste. She wanted to protect these people and show the others they had nothing to fear except themselves. "So... What kind of food, Mr. Washington? I'm always up for good food." She asked, already walking toward the opening to the alley.

[Ayesha]

Shawn lit up, almost like a giddy school boy, but that wasn't the right way to feel. It was just because she was being nice to him, even treating him like a man and not a "black" man. He had met his fair share of white folk who just looked down their nose at him and did not take him seriously at all, like he wasn't even human. He was human all right, with all the human-like feelings to boot. He smiled, scratched his head again and then bent down to retrieve his package of food Leroy had given to him.

"It would be my pleasure to escort you to the dress shop." He did feel a small amount of anxiety run up and down his veins. The new laws may in fact say that blacks and whites were allowed to be in the same place, work together and go to school together, but the dress shop was most likely run by an old fashioned white person who would not like him being there at all. Though, he could not be thrown out if he kept to himself and did not cause any trouble.

"You seem like a very kind lady. I gather from what you've said, that you are a school teacher? Your students are very lucky." He thought of his sister and frowned. "Truth be told, most of the little ones in my neighborhood still lack the proper school setting. They're parents are too afraid to send them where they might be picked on, or worse... " There was a few people in his neighborhood who took on the teaching roles. The children were taught in a small rundown shed outside someone's house. It lacked everything, but it was all they had.

"I work at a diner. You might know of it. It's only separated by one street from your schoolhouse." He looked down at the bag. "We have the best cheeseburgers in town, though that is my humble opinion because I do most of the cooking." He grinned. "After you change into a new dress, if you would like to join me for dinner, my home is that way." He pointed toward the black side of the neighborhood. "Not so far from here. My neighbors would gawk, but you would not find any trouble with them, ma'am. My sister is home, so it would be the three of us."

"If that isn't to your liking, I wouldn't mind letting you take this home with you." He would make do without the food and there was surely something at home his sister could eat.

[HylianRose]

She smiled at how happy he seemed to be given the chance to walk her to the dress shop but frowned at his next expression. He was worried. She sighed. It was probably for the best but Mr. and Mrs. Peters weren't such bad people and if they even dared say anything to him she'd protect him with all she had. He'd done the same for her, she'd do no less for him, regardless of his color. She smiled thinking about Rita. She'd show her father what it meant to be a good Christian and none of it had to do with the color of their skin.

She chuckled and smiled at him when he asked her about her job. "Why, thank you. I try my best. I... I actually made a promise to a very dear friend of mine a long time ago. I can't let her down." She explained, her smile only growing. Her heart sank when he explained to her the situation. She knew it all too well that several students didn't get the education they needed. She felt obligated to do something but she didn't know how. She couldn't force their parents to send them...

Her smile returned at his next comment about the diner. "I've eaten there a time or two on my way back from the schoolhouse. You know, sometimes I have to stay late. They certainly do have some of the best food I've eaten. Why even the best cooks in the fancier restaurants couldn't compare." She told him, holding her hands at her lap politely.

She let out a small sigh at his offer to allow her to have dinner with him and his sister. She had to consider it for awhile. Regardless of color, Robin would think twice about stepping foot into the house of strange man she'd only just met. She was rash, but she wasn't stupid. Still, if he did in fact have a sister, which she assumed he was telling the truth (He didn't seem like the type to lie.), then it should be fine. It'd be nice to talk to someone from that neighborhood and get an idea of what it's like. That was the only way she'd be able to understand her colored students and why they act the way they do.

She looked up at him and nodded politely. "Why, Mr. Washington, I'd love to. If you do all the cooking at that diner, I can't wait to see what you'd cook up at home. I'm also interested in meeting this sister of yours. How old is she?" Robin asked, picking up her things as she prepared to walk to the dress shop with this man.

[Ayesha]

"If you made a promise, than you surly have to keep it." Shawn was all about following through on promises. He knew all about them. He had made his most important promise to his mother and father when they asked him to watch out for his little sister and ever since he was eighteen, he had to become her brother, mother and father all rolled into one. The hate crime that killed his parents still burned within his heart, but he had tried to forgive them like a good Christian man should. He looked off to the side as he thought about this. His poor ma and pa, his poor sister. She had only been a couple years old when they were killed. Shawn did not have the resources to properly care for her, but the whole neighborhood pitched in and his sister turned into the fine young lady she is today.

"You've ate at the diner? I've never seen a white come in before. I always thought it would be a good place for our people to meet and greet, neutral ground so to speak. But since it's owned by black folk..." He trailed off. "I'm really glad you've came before. Next time, I hope you'll stick around so I have the chance to say hello."

He felt taken-aback when she agreed to come over to his house for dinner. That was a pretty huge step for the both of them, for their people in general. It was a nice thought, to think that maybe they could start something, stir something in other people's hearts, make others want to mingle more. It was a fools dream. Something like that would not be happening anytime soon, maybe not for decades.

"To be honest, Miss, I was thinking of reheating this for our dinner. It's still fresh and perhaps one day I could cook you a home cooked meal one day when I have the extrea money for ingredients." He blushed, not wanting her to realize how poor he was.

"My sister is named Lucinda, but she likes to be called Lucy. She's just turned fifteen. She was only a toddler when our parents passed. I've been raising her ever since then."

He wondered if he should hold out his arm for Robin? Would that be okay? He was escorting her to the dress shop and he wanted to be seen as a gentleman, but what would other's think. "I would offer you my arm, but I do not want to offend anybody." Shawn lowered his eyes, took a deep breath and then looked back up at her. "I don't wish to seem rude."

[HylianRose]

Again, she chuckled at him. "I don't think it's rude." She told him, brushing it off like it was nothing. To most folks in town, it would seem like she was simply ordering him around. She didn't want to be cruel to him, but she also didn't... She felt her heart sink. She didn't want to be seen as... What didn't she want to be seen as? A 'Nigger'-lover? God, how she hated that term. She had to commend the colored folk for putting up with it for so long. If she were called that she'd likely lock herself and cry herself to sleep every night. She didn't see anything particularly wrong with the term, it was just the way people used it.

"It's nice to have a sibling..." She told him as they walked across the street, people looking at 'em. "I'm an only child, you see. I imagine it's a relief to have someone with you, someone that cares." She continued, smiling. Well, what was Rita? She might have been like a sister to Robin... If only... "Well, I guess I could have had a sister, but she was more like a mother to me than anything else." She told him, smiling.

"Oh, and if you need extra ingredients, I won't mind getting them for you. In fact, you're even welcome to use my kitchen. I'm no good at cooking at it's been so long since I've had a home cooked meal. Though... if you're nervous about coming into a white neighbor, I understand... I'm..." She trailed off as they got closer to the shop, her brows furrowed and her heart heavy.

"I'm sorry..." She told him, looking into his face, not wanting to say why. She shook her head and pushed open the door for him. "I know you're the gentleman, but I can't help but open it for you. I'm not some weak female that can't even open the door for herself." She told him, sending him a reassuring smile.

She could feel the conflicting emotions inside of her. Part of her said, let him open the door. Keep up the pretense. They'll think you're just ordering him around. And another part of her told her to be kind, like she would for anyone else and then... A separate part of her told her to open the door for herself just because she could. That was what she'd always hated. Like colored folk, women were treated as if they couldn't do any better. As if they only had so much to offer and any more than that was asking too much... It made her angry.

[Ayesha]

Coming up to his street, he winced wondering how she would react to how dark it was. Night was settling in around them. He didn't have a watch, but he had left the diner after curfew, dealt with her attackers and then went to a dress shop which had surprisingly still been open. Whites must not have to follow curfew at all. It was unfair, but he wouldn't let himself think about it.

"Sorry, no street lamps. We've got to count on the moon to guide us. You should see how bad it is when the moon is hidden behind clouds.” He couldn't see her face very clearly, but he hoped she wasn't frowning when she realized just how run down his side of town was.

“Conditions are worse on our side, for sure, but this is a nice little community. Everyone knows each other. It's like a big extended family.”

He looked around and didn't see anyone, but it was hard to tell if anyone was looking at them from a window.

“There's been white folk come around every once in a blue moon. It would seem improper for me to take you to my home if I lived alone, but since I live with my sister, I don't think people here will mind so much; sure there will be gossip though. Your folk on the other hand.....” He trailed off.

They came up to his small flat. It was two bedrooms. His momma, dad, sister and he had lived there at one point. He had shared a room with his sister. Now that his parents passed, he had their bedroom. They were lucky to get a two bedroom. A lot of the families had to cram several people into one bedroom. He never complained about having to share with his sister. She had always been his life, from the moment she was born fifteen years ago.

“We don't even have a porch light.” He took his keys out of his pocket and unlocked his front door, blushing when he started to fiddle around with the lantern set on a table near them. They had inside lights, but they mostly they used lit candles to help save money. He reached for some matches, lighting the lantern and then hanging it up above the doorway.

“Money is tight,” Shawn said, apolitically. He lit another candle that was attached to a candle holder so they would have more light as they found their way to the kitchen.

“That way to the restroom if you would like to freshen up." He held out his candle holder for Robin to take. "Lucinda is probably in her bedroom."

"Lucinda! I'm home. Dinner will be ready in a bit. We've got company." He looked back over at Robin and smiled a little nervously.

[HylianRose]

She smiled at his words, happy he was concerned for her. "It's no problem, really. If I have to be honest, I just want to experience this. To know what it's like. I'm sorry if that makes me rude or... mean but... I just feel like in order to understand people, you should try to live a day in their shoes. Granted, this isn't a day in your shoes but..." She trailed off, letting him talk.

She thought for a moment on his words. She didn't much care for gossip but she didn't like what she thought it could turn into. She wasn't really scared for herself. Worst come to worse, they'd fire her. She had no reason to fear for her life, but they... Her brows furrowed, thinking about Rita. It wasn't fair that they had to die for stupid reasons. All she'd done was be friendly. She'd been more of a friend to Robin than anyone ever had and what had that gotten her? Death. M-Maybe this wasn't such a good idea... She didn't want to put Shawn and his family in trouble by being friendly to them but she also thought it was stupid. Why should they be punished for want of being friends? It never seemed fair to her. Sure, they were different. They grew up different but whose fault was that? She felt her chest tighten up, anger pooling there.

She looked up when Shawn said something about not having a porch light. Her eyes narrowed, looking at the porch in the pale moonlight. Thoughts going through her head. She should buy them one, she had that right, didn't she? It's not like... She sighed, more thoughts running through her head. Those damned people might think he stole it, thinking he' too poor to afford it. And then she'd have to tell them she gave it to them and then they'd still probably be in trouble. Though... Was she willing to go through that for someone she'd just met? Even if he was kind...

She followed him without saying a word, just looking around, watching. It was a run down little house but she knew it was all they had and they were lucky to have so much. She took the candle from Shawn. "Thank you." She told him, her voice small but still warm. She made her way to the bathroom, or where he'd pointed and opened the door. Again not much, but more than most colored folk had, well she assumed. She set the lantern down on the sink and washed her hands without soap, not wanting to take anymore than she was going to from them. Maybe as thanks, she should bring them some food. They couldn't be too cruel about that, right? If she brought them to her house, it would seem like she was ordering them, right? No fuss, right? She sighed and picked up the lantern again and walked back outside, back into the kitchen area.

[Ayesha]

Shawn left her in the restroom and hurried to the kitchen. He lit the lantern in there and then looked around with a critical eye. It was clean, but very bare. They did not have much. The refrigerator was a really old model. It had gone yellow with age and was cracked in many places. It still kept things cold, so he did not mind much. The appearance was rather ugly though. The stove was much the same, old model, color quite off from the way it had originally looked. One of the back burners no longer worked. He was just said that they did not have a microwave. They were nifty little machines that could reheat food in mere minutes. A few years back, it had been in all the newspapers, but the darn things were still not commercially purchasable.

So he had to get creative to reheat the hamburgers for his sister and guest. It took longer, but the end results were the same. He just hoped reheating the meat on the stove would in turn make the buns feel hot. He smiled at his handy work, putting the hamburgers on their best plates. Despite them being his best plates, they were still chipped in several places.

Shawn grabbed three glasses and filled them with cold water from the fridge. He made the table and then went to the living room, waiting for Lucinda and Robin to join him. Lucinda was soon bounding out of her bedroom, her long black braids up in a ponytail. She ran to her brother and gave him a big hug. Shawn hugged her back, giving her a good spin.

"Be on your best behavior, we have a guest."

[HylianRose]

She smiled watching as the little girl bounced into the room, paying no mind to Robin. She chuckled at bit as Shawn told her to be on her best behavior. She sighed and walked a bit closer, walking into the kitchen. She looked around, noticing the chipped plates and glasses of water on the table.

They were probably their best plates. She... she wanted so desperately for them to have everything she had but she knew what little power she really had. It was them against the world, practically. Hamburgers sat on the plates, looking a bit bare but still, it was food. She managed a small smile and looked to Shawn and then Lucinda. "It's nice to meet you, Lucinda. I'm Robin." She greeted the young child, holding out her hand for her to shake. "You have a very brave older brother. He all but saved my life." She told the young girl, smiling down at her sweetly.

[Ayesha]

"Wow, my brave brother Shawnie," Lucinda said. She reached out and gave the lady's hand a good firm shake. "You can call me Lucy if you please." She eyed her brother, giving him a look that only he could read. Shawn gave her a look back that she seemed to understand. They were very close, seeing as how he raised her from very young. He was not only a brother, but a mother and father figure as well.

"So Mrs. Robin, what is it that you do for a living?" She asked. She did not mind that there was a white person in their home, though the idea was a little odd. Most people would be talking soon, that was for sure. It was not everyday that the colors mixed by choice. Though the lady did seem kind enough, not like she was looking down on them. Lucy hoped she did not think she was better than them.

"She's a school teacher, Lucy," Shawn answered, giving his sister a little nudge so that she would take her seat. "And a thumping good one at that." He winked at Robin before he could catch himself. If Robin were another black woman, the wink would have been taken as a silly tease, nothing at all harmful, but if someone caught him doing such a thing to a white lady, then all heck would break loose. Robin herself might become offended.

"Oh really!" Lucy set down quickly and looked over at Robin with more eagerness in her eyes than she had before. "So you can read and write? What's it like? We only know a little, but not like novel reading or letter writing. Is it wonderful? Oh, I bet it is."

Shawn felt himself blushing. Of course Lucy would be so outspoken.