Warning ... There is a racial slur in this intro ... Please understand the word was written for accuracy of the time period and nothing more.
On a lazy summer night, crickets chirp along the bayou. A moist, heated breeze barely shifts the fabric of a hooded figure. Twigs snap under the highly polished black shoes. Sweat rolls beneath the collar of a once starched shirt, now clinging to the body underneath the robe.
Torches flicker in the distance as eerie shadows play against the tree trunks and branches. Voices murmur. Moonbeams reflect from the ten figures clad in similar attire.
“Good, we’re all here,”spoke a grizzled voice. “Our previous acts, aren’t getting through to our friend. We must take further action. Perhaps then ...”
“One would think the — ahem, unexpected death of Dubois would convince him,” another klansman said.
“Yes, and what about Doucet’s disappearance? Sheer genius on your part, your highest,” the shortest one said.
“Thank you. I must agree.” A laugh of pleasure erupted from his lips. “We’ve been more than patient with Broussard. It saddens me ... such a waste of a decorated war hero. But since his return he has embarrassed our kind one too many times.” He spits. “Imagine, allowing your son to attend a nigger’s party.” He spit again.
“Tonight we leave a calling card for our illustrious friend.”
* * * * *
A cross ignites on the front lawn of the Broussard house. The phone rings. A hushed voice whispers, “Look outside your window,” and hangs up.
David rushes into the living room and moves the lace curtain. An icy chill streaks through his heated body. He rushes to the front door and flings it open. Horror stretches over his face at the sight. Sweat drips down his neck and back. He turns and spots a white slip of paper.
Trembling fingers peel the folded note off the door. He holds his breath as he opens the paper.
YOU’RE NEXT, written in red ink, stains the white parchment. The paper slips from his fingers ...
What will David do? How will he and his family survive? He needs help ... but from who? Is there anyone he can trust?
RINGS OF TRUST ... a novel by Kittie Howard
Amazon: Link
Whoa, talk about intense. To think this actually happened and forms of it still do in the deep south. After Sixty years, the Klan is still very much alive. Sadly.
This type of story really spells out how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go to beat prejudice and racism. Can it be done? I hope I'm still live to see it. Don’t you?
Please drop by Kitty’s place and say hi... You’ll be glad you did.
Thanks again for visiting everyone. I hope you’ve enjoyed the varieties of intros this week. Only eight more to go. Phew... Lol.
Have a memorable day!
23 comments:
Sadly it is still alive. You'll see it in the smaller towns.
Another good introduction, Michael.
yep, I was shocked to hear from one of my friends in USA who lives down in the South, that the Klan still exists and that people there are still often violent racialists :((
This resonated with me... deeply...
Great intro Michael!
Writer In Transit
Discrimination is something I hate.
You did well! :D
It is in our nature to destroy ourselves, not seeing we are all held together by the same blood in our veins. Great intro once again! Best of luck, Kittie, from a fellow Louisianian!
Sadly it still is alive in parts of Tennessee, especially in Pulaski where it was started.
I'll never understand people like that...
Sounds like a super intense and great read. Happy Saturday!
We've made some strides toward acceptance of "others." But it's so slow, isn't it? The 60's wasn't that long ago, but it seems like centuries and still something as narrow-minded and evil as the Klan has power.
Powerful intro to what I'm sure is an intense book with a punch. It's sad that, despite our advances, there's still so far to go before prejudice is wiped clean. Race, gender, religion, politics - so many ways to tear us apart.
The old hippie with flowers in her hair. ;)
I have heard the Klan is still alive in parts of East and North Texas, but I think it is much smaller in scope and much less powerful than it once was. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all get along no matter the color of our spots or the songs we sing in worship.
I was just at a college two weeks ago, teaching a seminar, and the director told me during the last election the Klan was out in uniform and marching the streets. That really stunned me.
Well done Michael! I hope I live long enough to see it happen, too.
I was shocked to hear about a school in the news, that holds two proms?!
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/Ga_students_fight_back_against_segregated_prom.html
Sounds like a timely and intense novel.
Yeah, you've been putting a lot of effort into these challenges. I'm sure you'll be ready for your normal pace of posting.
It is easy to forget that racism is still out there, sometimes just as not as blatant as a cross on the lawn - at least not as widely and easily viewed by others. But sometimes the blatant hatred still comes out. Sounds like a very probing book. Writer’s Mark
Another great intro, Michael, and it looks like a very interesting book :)
Awesome Job, Michael! I love Southern Louisiana, and Louisiana history, so Kittie's book has my name written all over it. :)
Twenty or so years ago in the Louisiana gubernatorial election a former Grand Wizard of the Klan ran against the corrupt (later convicted) incumbent. I can still remember the bumper stickers: "Vote for the Lizard, not the Wizard," and "Vote for the Crook. It's Important."
Unfortunately, the Klan is still alive and well, and it's not just a Southern thing, We had the Klan in Northern California, too. They actually posted recruitment posters - I'm talking a couple years ago, not the far distant past. Very, very sad.
VR Barkowski
This sounds like a very intense novel. Great intro to it!
I've had this one on my list for a while. Love Kittie's writing!
Intense scene. Well written.
Thank you, Michael, for showcasing "Rings of Trust." You did such a fantastic job, I'm sending you a Major Big Hug!
I so wish the KKK were in the deepest bowels of history. It isn't, tho not as powerful as it once was, thankfully, but still able to stir up emotions.
I apologize for not thanking you sooner, but my hub, a marathoner who had run Boston and had been up several times for recent marathons to cheer on a niece and her husband, was kicked in the gut by the horrific tragedy there. . . and I as an American. So I put my blog on hold and we hung out in front of the TV. Also, the daughter of a close friend crossed the finish line about two minutes before that blast. She wasn't hurt physically but is emotionally shaken.
Again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Michael!!!
This is a really great sounding story. I love, love the intro. Stories about Reconstruction, racism and tyranny in the South always intrigue me. I definitely have to pick this one up.
Hi Michael .. this was a very interesting intro to Kittie's book and one I'll be getting - I'll have to go through the list.
The KKK must be very troubling for some folk -
I feel for Kittie's husband, friends and relatives tied up with, even not directly affected, by the Boston tragedy - realising the closeness is very frightening and shocking ..
With thoughts to all concerned, but also good luck to Kittie and her book ..
Cheers Hilary
Wow, from the cover I thought this was a fantasy novel about rings, but sounds very interesting with the historical aspect.
I hate that racism is still alive now, even after so many years. Vicious cycles that take so many years to remove.
#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
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