Chapter 48
Eyes Not Okay
THOMAS WASHINGTON LEFT early to make deliveries and Esther checked on Horace’s progress with his packing. She walked into her son’s room and took note of his empty closet and dresser drawers. One last item needed to be packed, but Esther grabbed Horace’s hand as he reached for it.
“Horace, leave the mirror. Time for you to stop looking at yourself like you some pretty little girl. You got to be a man now and learn from these terrible mistakes you done made. Even if you take another beating, you never turn on family. Don’t matter if your face gets a little messed up, ’cause all we got is family, and we need to protect each other.”
“Mama, they said they would beat me.”
“Hush, Horace, stop talkin’ like a scared boy. Time to be a man. You gonna be on your own and
