Weekend Freewrite - 1/4/2020 - Single Prompt Option: No added sugar

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Continuing on from the "Coffee Mug" freewrite...

Henry Fitzhugh Lee did have great courage, and it took every ounce of it to call his grandmother and set up the appointment at Cake-er-Doodle. He had not spoken directly to her, but had made the appointment through her butler, Charles.

In his official capacity as interim divisional commander for police in her neighborhood – the Blue Ridge precinct – it was necessary for him to talk with her about what she did in terms of evacuating her neighborhood in the absence of the officers serving the precinct he would be responsible for after the station was put back on its foundation.

And, there she was – all poise and coffee sipping and cool to the touch and all. Age had made its mark – her hair was pure silver-white -- but she was in excellent health and still looked stunning. The spirit of the woman was also still indomitable. She was afraid, but clearly, not giving in.

Captain Lee had not even gotten to the table before his coffee arrived – “Double black, no added sugar, sir.”

She had ordered it for him – she had guessed, correctly, that he had quite a few of his grandfather Aaron's tastes. Yet the main thing this told Captain Lee was that she wanted the same thing he did: peace between them.

“Just as I like it, ma'am,” he said gently. “I appreciate you doing that. Thank you.”

He saw her slowly release the breath she had been holding. 27 years, and she was still afraid of him ... she had provoked him by leading the family to mock his dead wife and son because they were Black … and she had paid in fear for 27 years because of how he had reacted. It was enough.

Not that any of this was discussed at Cake-er-Doodle. Captain Lee had nine specific questions he wanted to ask, and she answered his questions in the detail he desired. The interview was productive, to the point, and over, soon enough. But … .

“Thank you for the excellent coffee. I would like to return your kindness and invite you out for dessert this evening.”

“What?”

“There is a pie tasting event being put on this evening by a friend of mine at 7:30, and I remember that you are a lady of excellent taste.”

Mrs. Slocum-Lofton could still think fast – the hero of police and his grandmother the heroine of the Ridgeline Fire, doing Big Loft together … that could be powerful.

“Well, why not, Captain Lee?” she said. “You already have my address in town, and my number, so, pick me up at 7:00.”

Captain Lee smiled to himself as he was leaving. Nobody could say that the courage was just on the Lee side of the family … Grandmother Selene was still up for new adventures.

“Thank you, Lord. The power of Your leading me to forgive – I just saw life come back into my grandmother. I'll do whatever You want me to do … oh, if You would grant me to be of assistance in her finding eternal life in You … .”

Photo by Brian Suman on Unsplash