And They Laughed like a Rooster

      It was 1920 and when they saw their first glimpse of the “Golden State, Land of Opportunity”.  The front of the big house had Magnolia trees, Apricot trees, large flower blossoms that were red, pink and blue. There was a wash tub and a tin rub board sitting in the back yard. There was a big red dog laying on the back steps of the front house. There was a small two room cottage and a cute four room house sitting at the very back of the yard with a large shade tree and a front porch.   Mamie lived in the four room house.  As we walked towards the front door, Mamie called to the red dog. "Come here Red, come meet Bailey and Brother. Come on Red." The dog lifted up his head to look at us then lowered his head and went back to sleep.

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       I ran from the bedroom, screaming at the top of my lungs. Just then, the front door opened     again. My eyes bugged out. My mouth was opened, but no sounds came out.  I was frozen in my tracks. My heart was pounding so loudly, there was no way for me to quiet it. I shut my eyes, so I wouldn't see harm coming my way.

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      Bertha was sitting at the bar with her head on the counter, her tears spilling to the floor, her moans were pathetic. Her hands, now sticky with Royal's blood were dropped at her sides. Her bloody clothes now stuck to her flesh. “OH GOD! No! No! he cain't be dead. I LOVED HIM SO. He cain't be DEAD! ROYAL, P-L-E-A-S-E COME BACK TO ME!” Bertha lifted her head off the bar, then threw her head backwards and screamed over and over, “THEY LAUGHED LIKE A ROOSTER, THEY DID, THEY DID.” Folks tried to comfort her, but they could not. Some of the customer's left before the police arrived. They walked down, not believing what they had seen. The Pear Orchards favorite son was dead. The police finally arrived. They led Bertha out of Mama’s Joint to the police wagon.