Carnal Innocence

segregated the churches. But tradition was often stronger than law.
    Every blessed Sunday the sound of rich voices raised in song flowed through the open windows with a clarity the Methodists couldn’t compete with.
    Across from Redemption and down a block was Trinity Lutheran. It was famous for its bake sales. Della Duncan, being in charge of such matters, was given to bragging that Trinity had raised enough money selling brownies and custard pies to buy a stained glass window. That had inspired Happy Fuller to organize three catfishsuppers for Redemption so that they could buy a bigger window.
    Those down at the Bible were content with their clear glass and clear voices.
    Sundays were a time for prayer, contemplation, and fierce competition in Innocence. From three pulpits the word of God rang out and sin was put in its place. In hard wooden pews old men and children nodded off in the heat, and women wielded their fans. Organs blared and babies wailed. Hard-earned money was dropped into the passing plates. Sweat rolled.
    In all three holy places, preachers bowed their heads and reminded the congregation of Edda Lou Hatinger. Prayers were requested for Mavis Hatinger, her husband—in none of the churches was Austin referred to by name—and her remaining children.
    In the back pew of Redemption, pale with grief and confusion, Mavis wept silent tears. Three of her five children were with her. Vernon, who’d inherited his father’s sullen looks and mean temper, sat beside his wife, Loretta. She hushed their toddler as best she could with a well-used pacifier and practiced knee bounces. Her cotton dress stretched tight across her pregnant belly.
    Ruthanne sat beside her, dry-eyed and silent. She was eighteen, and ten days out of Jefferson Davis High School. She was sorry her sister had died, though she hadn’t loved Edda Lou. Sitting in the stifling church, all she could think of was how quickly she could make enough money to get out of Innocence.
    Bored and wishing he were anywhere else was young Cy. His feet were cramped inside the hard black shoes that were already a size too small, and his neck was chafed from the starch his mother had sprayed into his collar. His family was an embarrassment to him, but at fourteen, he was stuck with them.
    He hated the fact that the preacher was talking about them like they were to be pitied and prayed for. Too many of his peers were scattered through the congregation, and his face flamed every time one of them shot a look over a shoulder. It was a great relief toCy when the service ended and they could stand up. As sachet-scented ladies made their way to his mother to express sympathy, he ducked out the back of the pew and hurried off to have a smoke behind Larsson’s.
    It all sucked as far as Cy could see. His sister was dead, his father and his brother were in jail. His mama didn’t do much more than wring her hands and talk to the Legal Aid guy in Greenville. All Vernon could talk about was paying somebody back. Loretta agreed with every word; she’d learned to agree fast and avoid a fist in the eye. A real quick study, that Loretta.
    Cy lighted one of the three Pall Malls he’d swiped from Vernon and tugged at his tie.
    Ruthanne had more sense than the rest, Cy decided. But she was always busy counting her money— just like Silas Marner and his coins. Cy knew she hid her cache in a box of sanitary napkins—a place her father would never look. Because Cy had a sense of loyalty— and he’d be just as happy to see her go—he kept Ruthanne’s secret to himself.
    He’d already figured that the minute he had his high school diploma, he’d be lighting out himself. There would be no chance of college for him. As Cy had a keen and thirsty mind, that hurt more than a little. But he was also a pragmatic sort and accepted what was.
    Though he’d yet to find real pleasure in smoking, he took another drag.
    “Hey.” Jim March sidled around the building. He was a tall boy, gangly, with skin the color of molasses. Like Cy, Jim was in his Sunday best. “Whatcha doing?”
    In the way of old friends, he dropped down beside Cy.
    “Just having a smoke. You?”
    “Nothing.” Comfortable with each other, they lapsed into silence. “Sure am glad school’s out,” Jim said at length.
    “Yeah.” Cy wasn’t about to embarrass himself by admitting he liked school. “Got the whole summer.” For Cy, it stretched out interminably.
    “Going to get you a job?”
    Cy moved his