Imagine living in a southern state in the US during the 1930’s, when your husband; “beastly in his dealings with all God’s creatures,” and “particularly harsh with those that didn’t meet his criteria; paradigms so narrow as to make most diehard WASPs cringe”; hears that a woman in town has been attacked by a black man, and sets out to bring the ‘criminal’s’ life to a quick end.

That’s the situation Hazel Ponders, today’s character in another First Acquaintance post, found herself in, while living in the town of Drewsport in 1939. Read on to find out how she dealt with the situation.

Avril Ponders slammed the receiver into its retainer.  His flushed, jowly face drawn into an angry, leering grin.  As he whirled to face the empty room, he yanked a huge bandanna from the hip pocket of his overalls and bellowed, “Will!  Eben!”

With a snarl, he brought the red kerchief up the back of his short, thick neck, over the shinning pate; and down across his boar like face; then, called a second time…”Get your damn butts in here!  NOW!”

Avril was about to call again when the clatter of running feet sounded on the back porch. Their cadence was briefly interrupted, then the door burst open, and the two boys, rushing past their mother, came to a halt before the squat, bear like figure of their father.

“‘Bout time!” He roared. “You two git the shotgun and rifles! We goin’ huntin’!”

The older boy beamed. “Huntin’! We goin’ for squirrel, Paw?”

“No, damn it, boy! We goin’ for coon, the two legged kind.”

The younger boy drew back, while the older began dancing about the room…”C’mon, Eben, we gonna have us some fun, we gonna shoot us one of them black boys.”

For Will Ponders, being included in this sacred mission was a thrill and challenge beyond his wildest fantasies.  Countless were the hours he and Eben had played at hunting black fugitives. 

Will punched his younger brother on the shoulder. “C’mon, dummy! This time it ain’t no game!”

The younger boy withdrew even farther.

“Eben!  Come on! 

The boy shook his head, pressing against the wall.

“EBEN!”  His father thundered.  “Git your gun, boy, you comin’ with us!”

“No he ain’t.”  The quiet voice came from the kitchen doorway where Hazel Ponders stood eyeing the three.  “I got things for him to do ’round here.  Ain’t no need for him traipsin’ off with you two.”

Quotes taken from pages 57-60 of Bluebell

The exchange between Avril and Hazel, about their youngest son, doesn’t end there, though I can tell you that she won and didn’t suffer physically for her victory. For more about the Ponders family, you’ll need to wait until I get “Bluebell” published. And speaking of that…

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