Greenwood and Archer

Chapter 1

Annie stepped off of the bus and immediately ran her gloved hands over the sides of her thighs to smooth her brown and beige hound’s-tooth suit skirt. She had no idea that Tulsa was so cold.

The year was 1919 and Annie Nora Spann had made the trip from Greenwood, Mississippi to start life anew. She did not mean to allow the smile she felt inside to radiate across her pretty milk chocolate brown colored face.

Just smell this fresh air, Annie thought. I’m gonna make you proud Papa, she whispered as she began to walk.

Excuse me Sir, can you tell me how to get to Greenwood Avenue?

Annie, Annie Nora—take your nose out that paper and go inside and help your mother.

Yes Sir Papa. Papa, they say there is a place in Tulsa where Negro folks can own as much as they want. Our own businesses Papa and the paper said,

Annie, let’s talk about it at Supper. Now go on in there and help your Momma

Yes Sir. Annie ran inside

Slow down chile, came the soft sweet voice of Annie’s mother Alberta.

Momma, I was reading the paper that Tom Henry left here. Oh Momma— you wouldn’t believe what they say about Colored people. Momma, they say that there is a Black Wall Street in Tulsa, we can buy and sell. We can do anything. If you want to find a Negro Doctor, you can. Negro Bankers, businessmen whatever you can imagine, Momma.

What-you-say?

Yes Ma’am Momma. I wanna go there. I do hair and I just know that I can open a shop and…

Now, I sent you in here to help your Momma and you in here talking and mile a minute.

She’s alright Mr. Spann.

Rev. Spann didn’t understand his youngest child. Why she always dreamed of going to big cities? Why couldn’t she be happy in Greenwood Mississippi? He looked over at his daughter and smiled she reminded him so much of his Mother Josephine. Not too tall and not too short, he wished she had a little more meat on her bones but she was healthy and that was a blessing. Annie looked away from peeling the potatoes and into her father’s eyes.

She smiled and went back to the potatoes. Oh Papa, did I tell you...

At supper, Annie, he chuckled, shaking his head from side to side.

Go up ten blocks and turn to your right, and you’ll be standing on the corner of Greenwood and Archer, said the tall, dark handsome man that Annie had chosen to ask for directions.

Thank you, Annie said as she smiled and thought of her older sister. If she didn’t say thank you quickly enough, her sister thought her to be ill mannered and would say thank you for her.

Lardy be! My feet are hurting! Annie thought as she straightened her tired body and carried her suitcase, and over night sack on one side and her purse and hair dressing utensils on the other. Lardy, Lardy what was I thinking? Traveling in three inch heels!

By the time Annie reached Greenwood and Archer, she had begun to break out with beads of perspiration, forming over her perfectly arched brows. Although her feet were aching and she could feel pins pricking her fingers from the weight of the items, she carried, she was excited to be standing on the corner she had read so much about.

Annie looked around. Everything seemed larger than life. The people all dressed up like they were going to church. Annie slowly and very carefully put her things down and started to wiggle her fingers. She opened her purse and found the note that her older brother Tom Henry’s friend had sent her, with his families address on it. Annie held it up and looked at it with a smile: 925 Archer Ave.

"Hmmm it should be right around here, she thought. She gathered up her belongings and walked a few more steps.

She pushed the door opened and smiled.

Well hello, Gorgeous. How may I help you?

Actually, little lady I would like to help you.

Annie smiled. My name is Annie and I am looking for Mr. Callingsworth.

Mr. Callingsworth is my Daddy. Everybody calls me Buddy.

Annie was a little confused by his remark but she was quick on her feet and was determined not to look like a country girl.

Well, if Mr. Callinsgworth is your Daddy, that would make you Mr. Callingsworth as well, she said as she stretched out her right gloved hand.

All the men in the barber shop laughed.

Chapter 2

Buddy escorted Annie down a long hall and through a door. She tried not to widen her eyes, but the sight before her was truly beautiful.

Mr. Callingsworth, this is very nice. I love the colors in this room.

Thank you Miss Spann.

Annie smiled and looked at him You’re welcome, and please call me Annie. And I will remember to call you Buddy.

You are sharp

Who helped you decorate, Buddy?

Actually, my sister did. She lives a few blocks over. She is looking forward to meeting you.

I look forward to meeting her and your wife as well.

Buddy looked at Annie with a blank expression. Annie, I am not married. I thought my brother told you that. I have arranged for you to stay next door in Miss Thomas’ rooming house. No one is there right now or I would walk you over there and help you to get all settled in. In the meantime you can make yourself comfortable in here.

He walked over to a beautiful mahogany cabinet and opened the middle drawer and pulled out a set of pink towels and handed them to Annie and walked back through the door leading to the Barber Shop.

Annie found the indoor toilet and relieved herself and freshened up. She was afraid that if she pulled off her high heels she wouldn’t be able to get them back on but once she said on the red velvet looking couch. Mmmmm, this feels good Annie thought as she loosened the strap on her right shoe and slid it from her foot. Oooh, Annie moaned as she massaged her foot. She repeated the act on her other foot. She stared at her feet to make sure that the pulsating feeling that she felt was not visible.

Then she looked at the pictures that were on the table next to the sofa. I wonder who that little girl is? Annie whispered. She continued to look around, from the rugs on the floor to the light fixtures. Everything looked expensive.

She could feel someone standing over her. Opening her eyes, she looked directly into the dark brown, angry eyes of a tall, very well built woman. Sitting up straight, she wondered when she had fallen asleep. She tried to regain her composure.

Hello, my name is Annie

I know who you are. I’m Maybell Thomas. As I understands, things you will be leasing a room from me?

Annie stood and realized just how tall and boxer-like this woman really was.

Yes, Buddy, uh. Mr. Callingsworth said that no one was home or he would have walked me over there.

Well, he was right. No one is home during the day. We all work, if you are gonna make it here, you got to have a job. I understands that you do hair?

Yes I do, Annie smiled.

Well, maybe we can work something out. I will take a few dollas off your fee and you can fix my hair. What cha say to that?

I say why not have Annie pay what everybody else pays to stay there and you can pay what everybody else pays to get your hair done.

Both women looked around to see Buddy standing in the doorway. I see you two met.

Annie smiled yes we did. I didn’t realize how tired I was and I am afraid I fell asleep on your couch.

Buddy smiled at her, I was hoping that you would get a little rest so I can show you around the town this evening.

Maybell looked from one person to the other and turned up the corner of her mouth. Humph, I should have known, she said looking Annie up and down.

Annie bit back the words that were in her throat; she took a deep breath and asked as innocently as she could, What do you mean, Maybell?

My roomers call me Mrs. Thomas. And what I meeeean is that every fast tail skirt that enters our little town think that Buddy is a good catch and they goes for him. And what I meeeeans is that you don’t seem to be any different.

Annie raised her eyebrow, but before she could open her mouth to speak, Buddy told Maybell that she was out of order.

This woman’s brother is a good friend of Cal’s.

Maybell smiled and shook herself. How is Cal? The smile left her face and she turned to Annie, Get your things and come on.

Annie opened her mouth and again Buddy spoke. Watch your tone, Maybell, what you have standing before you is a real lady.

Oh is that so? Then what would you call me?

Buddy chuckled and winked at Annie. Hold on a minute Annie and let me put a sign in the window that I am going to lunch. Annie sat down and began to put her shoes on.

So, you and Buddy is getting to know each other huh? Well, let me give you fair warning honey, you and a host of other females is getting to know him. I tell you what I think; I think he is trying to get enough women under his spell to put them out.

Put them out? Annie questioned.

Are you two ready? Buddy asked as he walked back into his living room.

The walk from one house to the other was short there was very little room between the houses.

Over there is the sitting room, Annie. If you ever have somebody come to visit you, you keep company in there. Got that?

Annie smiled and nodded her head.

Back here is the kitchen. I cook once a day, weekends included. Did I mention that I am the only one that uses the kitchen? Oh, and your meals are built-into your fee. I have someone who cleans, so you are not expected to clean the bathroom. Just keep your room clean and we will be just fine. Now, I do have a space down here that you can rent out for your business.

Maybell looked over at Buddy who was following them.

You don’t have to answer me right now on that one. Anyway, you can use these back stairs to get to your room.

How many rooms do you have here, Mrs. Thomas?

Maybell looked at Buddy and answered Annie.

There are five rooms upstairs and please, call me Maybell.

Annie knew that her stay at Mrs. Thomas’ boarding house would not be long. She walked into her room, a little disappointed. There was a very small mattress on a long wooden box, a lamp and a chair.

Is there any cover for the bed Mrs. Thomas? Annie asked.

Cover, why sure honey, there is plenty of covers. My daughter, Caleatha, stays in the room right across from you and she does all of the cleaning and washing and such. You can rent it weekly.

Annie was about to ask how much was this going to cost her when Buddy piped in.

I have plenty of extra cover, Annie. I will bring over some for you.

You know Buddy; number one you done broke my rule about men coming upstairs. And number two, I think Annie can think for herself.

Thank you Maybell, Annie turned to Buddy. I would not have you walking back and forth like that I will come over, once I get myself situated, and get the covers. Thank you Buddy.

If we are going to get along Annie, you have got to remember that my roomers call me Mrs. Thomas, and I could care less where you get your covers from, or even if you have covers just keep the room clean and be ready to sit down for supper at six forty-five every night.

Buddy turned and walked down the hall. He didn’t want to leave Annie with that crazy woman but he had to get out of there before said something that he promised his mother he would stop saying.

Chapter 3

Buddy walked into his living room and was about to exit through the side door that led to the shop when he heard a voice.

Don’t do it, Buddy

Buddy looked around and shook his head from side to side. He walked down the hall, whistling a tune. When he got into the shop, he looked around and saw just who he expected he would see: No-one. He unlocked the door and took the sign out of the window. Mr. Martin and Sally walked in first.

What can I do you out of, Mr. M?

Shave and hair cut. Same price today as it was last week?

Buddy gave a slight nod.

I hear there is a pretty little thang staying here, Buddy?

No, you hear wrong, Mr. M.

I hear wrong? Hmmm, where is she, next door?

She is a friend of Cal’s.

Is that right? Where is she, next door? Before Buddy could answer the bell attached to the shop door rang, signifying that someone was entering.

Well Amen Bro. Callingsworth, Mr. Martin, Miss Sally. How is everyone this afternoon?

We just fine, Reverend, Sally said.

Martin shot Sally a look that told her to close her mouth. Buddy felt bad for Sally but even worse about himself he had introduced Sally to Martin Kelly.

You know there is a spot in the choir just waiting for you, Sally.

Sally smiled at him as she looked out of the window. The shop bell rang again and in walked Annie Spann. Buddy’s eyes opened wide, he was silently telling her to walk back out. His look wasn’t lost on Annie. She smiled at everyone and spoke. Buddy introduced her to Preacher Smith as he was called by everyone in the neighborhood.

Annie stretched out her hand and told him how glad that she was to meet him and that she would be in attendance on Sunday. She turned to Sally and reached for her hand, but before Sally accepted Annie’s hand she looked at Martin for his approval which she received. No one in the shop wanted Annie to be introduced to Martin. Reverend Smith started speaking right away about the church.

I don’t mean to be rude as it seems others are today, Martin said as he moved out of the chair and over to Annie. My name is Martin Kelly. I am pleased to make your lovely acquaintance."

Annie smiled to keep for laughing. Why thank you, Mr. Kelly.

Everyone calls me Mr. M.

Annie looked over at Buddy who seemingly had found a loose board in the floor.

Excuse me for asking, but if your last name is Kelly, why are you called Mr. M?

Because that is the way I want it!

Hmmmm Annie said as she walked over to Buddy and in a hushed voice asked him about the covers. Excuse me everyone I will be right back.

Buddy and Annie walked up the hallway and into the living room.

Wait right here, Annie.

Buddy walked down another hallway and came back with two green blankets, a set of white sheets and a gold and green bed spread.

These are beautiful Buddy. Are you sure you want to let me use these? Buddy smiled, "I apologize for that in there Annie. I owe Martin money and until I can pay him back I, well, I just apologize.

You know Buddy; there is no reason to apologize to me. Just straighten out whatever you feel the problem is.

Buddy smiled at Annie and thought how easy that sounded. There was a knock on the door leading into the living room from the hall.

Come in. Buddy called as the door pushed open to reveal a smiling Martin.

Am I interrupting anything in here?

No. Have you got everything, Annie?

Yes, I do. Thank you so much, Buddy.

My pleasure. I’m sorry that I kept you waiting, Mr. M.

Would you like some help getting settled in, Miss Annie?

I’m fine, Mr. Kelly. Annie smiled and walked over the front door.

Buddy rushed over and opened the door and whispered that he would see her around seven o’clock. Annie nodded her head and walked out.

What’s with you and her, Callingsworth?

There is nothing with us, Mr. M. I told you she is a friend if my brother.

Well, I will be expecting a date soon. I don’t care how you do it but, oh yeah! I want it done.

The two men looked at each other.

Annie walked into the house and down the hallway to the back stairs. She decided to peep into the room that Mrs. Thomas had offered as a shop. It wasn’t very big but it would do the job until she could save enough money to move her business to another location.

So, what chew think Annie? Do you want to talk rental fees for this place?

Annie turned to see Maybell Thomas staring down at her.

How much would this room be on a weekly basis Mrs. Thomas.?

Twenty-five

Twenty-five dollars? For this little room?

What chew expect Annie! Five for the sleeping room and twenty for this work space. You will more than double that what with all the nappy headed women around here, Maybell said as she stroked her long wavy hair.

I am not sure that I can afford twenty-five a week Mrs. Thomas. Annie said.

Well, you think about it cause my prices only go up.

Buddy brushed the small cut bit’s of hair from Martin’s neck. As Martin Kelly checked out his reflection in the hand held mirror.

Yeah, this looks real good Buddy. Now, about little Miss Annie. What’s her last name? Well, it really doesn’t matter. It might be Kelly before long.

Martin rose out of the chair and Buddy used a towel to wipe the back of it and beckoned for the Reverend to come and sit.

Bring her by the club tonight, were the words that Martin threw over his shoulder as he stood at the door, waiting for Sally to open it. Sally did what was expected of her and Martin Kelly made his exit.

Now, that is a sin and ashamed. What is wrong with that girl?

What girl? Both men turned to look over at the exit way leading into Buddy’s living quarters.

"Victoria, I have told you about coming into my house when I am not in there.

Well, it’s a good thing that I did. You left it wide open.

Wide open, Victoria?

Well, it was closed, but it wasn’t locked. I got a message from Cal. He wanted to know if Tom Henry’s sister made it here yet.

Yeah, she is here. She made it in this morning.

Where is she? I didn’t see her in the house.

Buddy looked over at his younger sister, Victoria, and shook his head.

She is next door at the boarding house.

Oh, what a sin and a shamed!

Girl, you have a problem with sticking to things that are only your business.

Have you ever in your thirty-two years heard me deny that? So, what gives?

Chapter 4

Annie entered the dingy little room she shook her head

and walked over to the small table and pulled the string

attached to the lamp. She bent over in the other direction and gently

placed the covers on the old chair. Annie sent up a silent prayer that

there were no bugs in the mattress. Then she took off her shoe and hit

it a few times. Annie started to giggle, her father always said that her

imagination was gonna have her doing crazy things.

I guess this is one of them Papa. She said aloud.

The door flew opened and there stood a six foot tall Maybell Thomas. You know the rules Annie cause I done went over them wit chew. Where is he?

Where is who Mrs. Thomas?

"I heard you in here giggling and talking to Big Papa. Is that what they

callin Buddy Callingsworth theses days."

This woman is too nosy,Annie thought.

"I don’t know what you heard Mrs. Thomas but I am

in here alone. And I thought that I had locked my room door?"

"Well, you just be sure that you don’t have any men folks up here

Annie and we will get along just fine. You hear?"

Yes, I hear Mrs. Thomas. Now, about the locked door.

Screams from down the hall startled both women. Annie followed

Maybell down the hall, Maybell stopped at the last door on the left

side of the hallway where she started to knock and bang on the closed

door.

What’s going on in there? Come out I say. Maryann! She

yelled.

The door slowly opened.

What was all that yelling in there?

Everything is alright Maybell.

"Nooo, everything is not alright. Not wit chew screamin like you has

done lost your senses. Now, you tell me what was happening in

there?"

I just thought that I saw something moving in the closet.

Mice? Annie asked.

Living in the country Annie saw her fair share of snakes and other creepy crawling things and the one thing she could not stand the sight of, was mice.

Ain’t no mice in my house Annie and I will thank you to go back into your room and do whatever you was doing.

Annie turned and started up the hallway when she

realized that Maybell never did answer her question. Oh well she

thought, I will just ask her later. Annie walked back into the room and

found a very pretty, younger version of Maybell making her bed.

Hello? Annie said.

The young girl looked up from her chore.

Hello she said.

My name is Caleatha.

She said stretching her hand. Annie accepted her hand and asked her why she was in her room as nicely as she could.

"The door was open and I figured you and Mother went to see

about Maryann. You will get used to her. She is always seeing

something or she feels things on her. She isn’t dangerous. Oh and

when the roomers leave their doors open it means they want me to

come in and clean and make beds and such and I lock the doors on my

way out."

Oh, I didn’t know that. Annie said. But, I can do that Caleatha.

"I’m almost done now. These sure are pretty Miss… I am afraid I

don’t know your name."

My name is Annie Spann.

These sure are pretty covers Miss Annie.

"Thank you Caleatha. I want to take a bath it has been a long day. Is

there a tub for water?"

"Mother didn’t