Read No Crystal Stair for Free Online Page B

they chose. Of course, that shouldn’t seem strange. Half the teachers at Spelman were white, as were the president and dean.
    She became aware that the young man was staring at her awkwardly, as if he wished to continue the conversation and didn’t know how.
    â€œAre you in drama at Emory?” she asked.
    â€œHeck, no. I’m no good at that stuff. I’m in business administration. I saw you at one of the ‘Let’s Talk’ seminars.”
    Oh. Now she remembered where she’d seen that red hair. Last fall some liberal professor at Emory had dreamed up the idea of arranging meetings between black students and white students. There had been two sessions, one at Morehouse, one at Emory. Ann Elizabeth had attended but hadn’t become too involved, especially at Emory. Sitting in that stuffy classroom, she was only vaguely conscious of the anxious white professor standing next to Morehouse’s Professor Lindsey. She hardly noticed the intense faces of her fellow black students and strange white ones. Hardly heard the strained, slightly discordant verbal exchange. The day before, she’d been chosen by the Morehouse boys to be their homecoming queen, and she was planning her outfit.
    â€œI wish we had more of those sessions,” the young man continued. “We don’t get much chance to talk to people of, er different backgrounds.”
    â€œYes, I know.” She smiled at him, feeling a deep sympathy for his confusion and concern. And suddenly she remembered. No wonder he looked familiar! At the Emory seminar he’d caught even her attention when he stood up and made an impassioned
speech for social justice, followed by a rather pitiful appeal. How was he to reconcile his own attitude with his father’s opposite one?
    The other white students had countered, expounding about the practical difficulties of equal treatment given the social and economic chasm between whites and Negroes.
    Awakened from her stupor, she’d spoken more harshly than she’d intended, surprising everyone in the room. “How dare you sit here discussing how to treat me.? I’m a person. Treat me like one.”
    Now she gazed at the serious face before her, wanting to reach out and tell him not to worry. We’re doing all right without you help.
    Impulsively she extended her hand. “I’m so glad you came. And I’m glad you enjoyed the play.”
    â€œEspecially you.” The hand gripping hers was warm and a little damp. “You were great. Are you going into the theater? You could be another Lena Horne. You even look like her.”
    She smiled. “Most people tell me I resemble Loretta Young.”
    â€œI didn’t mean... that is, I only meant...”The deep red flush extended to the roots of his hair, and she was sorry for the dig.
    â€œThat you’re very beautiful,” he finished.
    â€œThank you. And yes, I do love the theater. But I’m afraid it’s not for me. You see. I don’t sing.” She didn’t add that neither was she the Aunt Jemima type, but he seemed to get the message.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he said. “I wish things were different.”
    Again she felt the need to reassure him. “Not to worry.” She laughed. “It’s been fun, but I really have no wish to be a star of stage and screen.”
    â€œRed!” a voiced called. “Are you coming? We’re in the car.”
    â€œComing,” he answered over his shoulder. Then he said to Ann Elizabeth, “They call me Red. My name is Stanley Hutchinson.”

    She nodded. “Mine is—”
    â€œI know.” He held up the program. “Good night, Ann Elizabeth. I hope we meet again.”
    â€œYes,” she said, knowing there wasn’t the remotest chance that they would.
    In the lobby she found both Sadie and Dan.
    â€œWhat took you so long?” Sadie scolded. “I’m about to be late for work.