When Television Was Free

Chapter I Drama

Joey ushered Loretta through the crowd. He knew it would be best to get her to Ms. Annymae now. Reverend Barnes was there with Jesse and the police had just arrived. He knew they would be calling on the family but Ms. Annymae needed Loretta more than ever right then. Joey held on tight as much as he could. He held back his own tears. Jesse was his best friend. Loretta immediately ran to her mother when they entered the house. Their eyes locked in confirmation of the truth, Jesse was dead. They held each other as they wailed. What happened? Why is my boy lying dead in the street? “Uh, I don’t know what happened, but I’m gonna find out Ms. Annymae.” Just as the screen door clanged behind Jesse, the police stepped in the doorway. “Ms. Annymae Barnes?”She stood up with her chin high, defiant as if ready to convince everyone that this had all been a bad dream. She heard the church bells earlier and she thought that her best friend Hattie had taken a turn for the worse only to learn that her son had be shot. “Yeah,” she stammered, "I’m Annymae Barnes, I’m Jesse’s mother."