Looking For You All My Life Part 37

Leah took the dogs Out for some exercise, but they'll be back

any minute. And there are some snacks in there too."

"Michael seems nice," commented Audrey as she

returned to peeling potatoes.

"Yes, he seems very sincere. It's too bad about the climate

adjustment. That must be a shock to him."

"That won't be his only adjustment," said Audrey as she

plunked a potato into the pot.

"Well, I'm sure he'll have some culture shock too. But he

seems like such a happy person, I'm sure he'll adapt

quickly."

"I'm not talking about culture shock either, honey. Have

you noticed that we have no blacks living in Pine Moun-

tain?"

Maggie stopped chopping nuts for a moment and con-

sidered this. "Now that you mention it.. although I've seen

African-American tourists in town-"

"That's not quite the same. Don't you think this could be

a little hard on Michael?"

"I don't know why it should be any harder for him than

it is for Jed~r Rosa-for that matter. They're both in a

minority."

"And you know they both suffer for it occasionally. But

I suspect it could be even worse for Michael. I mean, let's not

be naive-this town has its share, or even more than its 64 ~ Melody Carlson

share, of bigots tucked here and there. Remember that

family-what's their name?"

"You mean the Ebberts?" Maggie laid down her knife. "I

think that rumor about their white supremacy group is a

little far-fetched."

"But there's no denying their racial prejudice. You told

me yourself about the hate-filled letters they regularly send

to the Pine Cone."

"Letters I never publish." She scooped the nuts into a

bowl. "I suppose you've got a point, Mom. But then again,

*I'm sure Jed will prepare Michael for this sort of thing.

Besides, I think it's about time this town grew up a little in

the area of racial equality. And if necessary, I'll write a big

*old editorial stating just that."

Audrey laughed. "Who would've thought editing a little

*paper like the Pine Cone could have turned my daughter into

*such a radical?"

Maggie grinned with a spark in her eye. "Yes, it seems I'm

*just making new enemies left and right. But it's sort of fun,

you know."

"Just watch your backside." Audrey's voice sounded

slightly serious.

Soon the house was filled with people. The Galloways

came, minus Scott and Chloe as they'd driven to Portland to

be with her family up there. Elizabeth Rodgers arrived,