The Girl on the Outside Read Online Free Page B

“Arnold’s here.”
    â€œCome out where it’s cool,” her father said.
    Her parents liked Arnold so they were pleased that he was taking her out for the evening. After greetings, they parted with her father’s words of caution. “Drive carefully now, and remember to be home before too late.”
    Arnold drove through the quiet streets as the twilight deepened into purple. Warm air scented by a thousand night fragrances bathed Sophia’s face as they sped through idle streets shadowed in pale lights. All the stores and shops were closed.
    Sophia sat, head back, eyes closed, listening to the frying sound of the tires on the paved road. Even though she was relaxed, she was terribly aware of every inch of her body and of Arnold’s presence.
    â€œWhere are we going?” she finally asked as she sat up and placed her hand on his.
    â€œA surprise place, but nice. That is, I think so.”
    Soon neon signs blazed red, green, blue, and white and the trees were now more alive. Stores dimly lighted were open. Small knots of Negroes stood around drinking sodas.
    Abruptly the pavement ended. The rutted, dusty road was dark. Outlines of small houses let Sophia know she was in South End. A rush of fear came over her as she rolled up the window to avoid the dust. She sat tense, near the door, her hands stiffly folded in her lap. Where was Arnold going? She looked at him in the glow of the light of the dashboard. He appeared as relaxed as when they had started and he was just as quiet.
    Negro couples in their Sunday clothes hugged the narrow shoulder of the road, the men trying to protect the women from flying dust. Soon they came to a frame building shaped like most of the houses, but much larger. All the windows were open and lights shone through the openings, casting squares of yellow upon the ground. Chinaberry trees were black silhouettes in the distance.
    Arnold turned off his lights as he slowly drove onto the church ground. The loud singing and music spread through the doors and windows and filled the dark night with a ringing sound. Sophia sensed Arnold’s anticipation when he said, “Let’s go in.”
    Suddenly her grandmother’s face flashed before her and the fear she felt the day she scrambled over the seat of her grandmother’s car returned. She could not move. “No!” she said.
    â€œIt’s all right, Sophia.”
    â€œIt’s not all right.”
    â€œI come often. We’re welcome here. I know the minister.”
    â€œI will not go in there, Arnold. I can’t.” She sat trying to fight the terrible fear. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked.
    â€œI like coming here and I thought you would, too. I enjoy the music,” he paused. “I … I like the people.”
    She was stunned. She had no idea he even knew about this place, about these people. Why had he assumed that she would want to come here, too? Didn’t he know what was happening at Chatman? Suddenly she grew angry.
    The loud happy sounds of songs angered her more and she stiffened in the seat. “I don’t like being surprised this way, and I don’t know why you would do this to me.”
    Arnold looked at Sophia and a surprised sadness came over his face. “I’ve never come here with anyone else before. I’m sorry that I didn’t ask you if you wanted to come, and now I know that I should have. But I care about you very much, Sophia. I guess my caring made me believe that you would be happy with what made me happy.”
    She felt tears come into her eyes. She cared about Arnold, too, but he had never given her reason to believe he was in any way interested in Negroes. How could he say he liked these people? “Please, Arnold, let’s go someplace else.”
    They drove back through the dark, dusty streets. Soon they passed a small building, crowded to overflowing. People danced to music that came to Sophia as a