When Television Was Free

Chapter I con't

No! No!, It can’t be. No!!! She screamed. There he was, laid out there on the lawn by the church, all 6 ft 4. A pool of blood circling around his head and running down his shirt. Jesse didn’t move, he laid there still. Dead? No! No! No!”cried Loretta. The church bell rang out again as the police cars approached. Loretta moved closer and froze when she realized that Reverend Barnes was praying over her brother. Last rites! No! Loretta dropped to her knees just as the police pulled up on the back side of the church yard. The sirens did not silence the toll. She felt a hand on her shoulder. “You betta get on to your mama! She’s hysterical. She ran out of the house in her nightgown when she heard the news. Good thing the sun hadn’t come up yet and the noise had the crowd going the other way. Gina got a hold of her and grabbed her back into the house. It’s not good, she’s screaming and hollering and having a fit. I’m so sorry about your brother, but you got to go see about your mama.” Loretta turned slowly like a minute hand on a clock. She caught a sob in her throat as her tear filled gaze locked with his. She could see his mouth moving and she felt her feet push her body up off her knees. She collapsed against him and looked up to speak but the words did not come out. She heard “ go see about your mama.”