Francie by Karen English Read Free Book Online Page A

cosmetics aisle. Lined up on the shelves were creamy lotions and bath salts in the most wonderful colors. I sniffed at a closed bottle of cologne, too afraid to take the top off. I was careful to put it back exactly as I’d found it. There were pretty tortoiseshell combs and hairnets in all colors. I wished I could get one for Mama. She would like that.
    I heard giggling behind me and turned to see Clarissa Montgomery, Verdie Johnson, and Holly Grace arriving at the lunch counter. I knew from overhearing Clarissa talking with her friends that they were giggling at Mr. Diller’s son Joe. He’d just come home from the army and was working at the drugstore. Verdie and Clarissa reached for menus, but Holly slid off her stool and went over to the carousel that held all the copies of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys and Bobbsey Twins. She gave it a twirl and withdrew one volume.
    I made my way to the front for my Scooter Pie.
    I took one from the display, set it carefully on the counter, then waited for Mr. Diller to finish writing things in what looked like a ledger. Finally, with a sigh, he ambled over to me.
    â€œEighty cents,” Mr. Diller said.
    â€œPardon me?” I thought I hadn’t heard right.
    â€œEighty cents,” he repeated and tapped the counter with his nails.
    I looked at my Scooter Pie. I wanted it—but not for
eighty cents. Maybe it was a price just for me. Maybe he aimed to keep colored out of his store. Whyn’t he just put up a sign? I felt everyone watching me, hoping something was about to spice up their dull afternoon.
    I thought about my words carefully, as I was accustomed to doing. “Sir, I was thinking Scooter Pies were a nickel.” I avoided Mr. Diller’s eyes.
    â€œYea, but that Nancy Drew you got tucked under your arm so’s I can’t see it …” He reached over and snatched it from under my arm and slapped it on the counter. “That there is seventy-five cents.” He laid his meaty hand on top of it like a weight. There was no way I’d reach across that counter and try to remove that big hairy hand off my book.
    I heard snickers coming from two directions. Holly and Verdie had turned on their stools and were grinning ear to ear. Clarissa’s face showed no expression. She kept her head down and sipped on her soda, as if she didn’t want to see what was happening.
    I looked back at Eugene and Jimmy Early’s stupid faces. “I didn’t get that book from your store, Mr. Diller. I had it when I come in.”
    He squinted at it then. He removed his hand, picked the book up, and held it out in front of him, his eyes darting to his audience at the lunch counter. He turned the book this way and that.
    â€œYou trying to tell me you brought this book in with you?”

    â€œYes, sir. The Secret of the Old Clock. That’s the truth.”
    â€œWhy, it looks brand-new to me.” He held it up to show the Early boys. “Don’t it to you boys?”
    â€œI think she stole that book,” Jimmy Early piped up.
    â€œShe ain’t had no book. I seen her come in empty-handed,” Eugene said with scorn.
    I met his eyes squarely. He blushed red with his lie. Jimmy kept his mouth shut, unwilling to get too bad a mark on his soul.
    â€œHe’s lying on me, Mr. Diller.”
    â€œIs he, now?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Eugene, I guess believing his lie by now, stared back. “Mr. Diller, I seen her come in empty-handed. That’s the truth.” He inched toward me, but Mr. Diller put up his hand.
    Holly had slid off her stool and come up for a closer gander, still sipping on her soda.
    â€œLet me get this straight. You calling Eugene here a lie?” Mr. Diller asked.
    I felt the trap he was laying for me. How could a colored call a white a lie?
    â€œI’m saying I brought that book in here with me.”
    Mr. Diller came from around the counter and with a purposeful stride went right over