Thelma's Child
Thelma’s Child
Celine Rose Mariotti
The sun beat down on this humid afternoon in the northern part of Louisiana, about ten miles outside of Baton Rouge. Hattie Jones sat outside and fanned herself. Her fellow worker, Thelma Wilson was busy setting the table for Mrs. Hampton. It was a hot, sticky day in Ridgewater, Louisiana, the kind that made Thelma dizzy. Some days her heart just didn’t pump very fast and she needed to sit for a spell, and Mrs. Hampton understood. Thelma admired Mrs. Hampton. She was a brilliant lady who was home schooling her little girl, Tina Louise, who was now nine-years-old. Mrs. Hampton had a degree in English and she wrote romance books. Thelma loved to read them as they all took place in such exotic settings.
“Thelma, dear, I know the heat has exhausted you. It’s a terribly hot day and even the air conditioners aren’t much help. How is little Ethan doing?”
“My Ethan is fine, Mrs. Hampton, but he got roughed up at school. One of the other children was jealous of the new watch I bought him, and they beat him in the schoolyard. The teacher, Mrs. Appleton called me and said Ethan was very upset. My Mama is going to bring him over later if it’s all right with you, Mrs. Hampton.”
“Certainly. He can play with Tina Louise and you and I and your Mama will have a talk. I think maybe we can help Ethan. Does he learn well in that school?”
“Not really, Mrs. Hampton. Sometimes the teacher just gives him these mimeographed sheets to fill out or to color. I took a look at his books and they are so old. They date back to 1962 and the information in them is very outdated. I mean here it is, we’re in the 21st Century and my little Ethan is learning things that children in the 1960’s learned instead of learning new information, especially like in science and history. It’s practically worthless for him.”
“I know what you’re saying, Thelma, because that is the very reason I am home schooling Tina Louise. I want her to have a very good and diversified education and the schools here in Ridgewater are not up to speed, even the private ones are not up to my standards. Maybe I could home school Ethan as well as Tina Louise. It would be easy for you because you could work and know that your son was here learning. He would be safe from all those bullies. What do you think, Thelma?”
“I can’t say enough. I mean even thank you is not enough, but do you think folks will talk about us? I mean I am a black woman and Ethan is a black boy and you would be home schooling him and you’re white.”
“Don’t worry yourself about all that.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hampton.” Thelma hugged her and got back to work. She thought to herself, for a white person, Mrs. Hampton is a different kind of lady; she didn’t look at skin color. Thelma felt lucky to know her and to work for her.
Just then Hattie came back inside and got to work polishing the furniture. She kept her eyes peeled on Mrs. Hampton who was on the telephone in her den. Hattie made believe she was working, but she eavesdropped on the conversation.
“Yes, Mr. Willis, I am considering home-schooling another child, besides my own daughter. I have to iron out all the arrangement with his Mom who works for us.”
“His Mom works for you? Thelma or Hattie?”
“Thelma.”
“I think you should reconsider this Mrs. Hampton. Thelma is black and a house servant. People in Ridgewater will frown on you teaching her son. He belongs in the public school where all the black children attend. You are a well-respected lady in the community and a well-known writer. You don’t want to sacrifice your standing in the community to help this little boy.”
“I’ll think about it, Mr. Willis. You may have a point.”
Thelma’s mom came by later on with Ethan straggling along behind, holding on to his grandmother’s hand so tightly. He seemed to have tears in his eyes and Thelma hugged him right away.
“Are you all right, sweet child? Mama was so worried about you, but don’t you worry because you ain’t going to that school no more. No siree. Mrs. Hampton is going to give you home schooling right here in her home with her daughter, Tina Louise. Would you like that Ethan?”
“I’d love that Mama. I’m so tired of fighting with all those other kids who are always picking on me and making fun of me. Plus, I don’t learn much and the kids make so much noise that I can’t even hear Ms. Appleton.”
“Don’t you fret, child. No more of that for my little Ethan. Right, Mrs. Hampton?”
“I’m sorry, Thelma, but I thought it over and it might be difficult for me to school two children and do my writing as well. I’m afraid Ethan will have to stay in public school.”
“But Mrs. Hampton. You said…”
“I know what I said. I shouldn’t have made the offer.”
“I guess you like most white folks around here. You’re afraid to help a black person. Come on, Ethan. Time to go home.”
Constance Jennings, Mrs. Hampton’s aunt, sipped her tea and then made a comment or two on the situation with Thelma. “You did the right thing, Rita. Don’t regret your decision. The high society ladies would kick you out of their club if you started home schooling that little Ethan. Don’t let Thelma or her kid get to you. She is just egging to get in on something that white folks do.”
“Yes, you’re right, Constance. Mr. Willis said the same thing basically.”
“Well, there you are. We’re all in agreement.”
“Mama, Ethan is not going to learn with me?” asked Tina Louise.
“No, he’s not. Don’t worry, dear.”
“I’m not worried. I mean I kind of like Ethan and it would be kind of nice to have company when I’m learning.”
“I didn’t realize you felt that way. Maybe I’m wrong about this.”
Constance sipped her tea some more and Tina went off to play. Mrs. Hampton went to her study to do some writing. She needed to put her thoughts on paper.
It was another hot, sticky day in Louisiana when Thelma went to the elementary school to talk to the Principal.
“Ms. Bentley, I will say straight out why I came here. Ethan is not gettin’ the learnin’ I want him to get and the other children are bullying him. I want better for my child.”
“Ms. Wilson, we do our best here. We don’t have a very big budget. You’ll have to make due here for Ethan.”
“I just think his books ought to be more updated and not as old as 1962.”
“I quite agree and I am going to mention that to the Board of Education.”
“I appreciate that, Ms. Bentley.”
“It’s good that you take an interest in Ethan’s education. Perhaps I can enroll him in a new program that gives out books to disadvantaged students.”
“I’d like that, Ms. Bentley. Thank you.”
“Take care, Ms. Wilson.”
Thelma had to get to work and Ethan had to go to his classroom. She arrived a few minutes later at Mrs. Hampton’s estate, but Hattie had already made the breakfast.
“Sorry I’m late, Mrs. Hampton. I had to stop at Ethan’s school and talk to the Principal.”
“That’s fine, Thelma. I understand. Did you take your medication?”
“Yes, I did, Mrs. Hampton.”
“That’s good. I do worry about you.”
“When is your husband coming back from his business trip, Mrs. Hampton?”
“At the end of next week. How are you getting along without William?”
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Willie. I know he’s with the Lord, but I miss him something awful.”
“It takes time to get over losing someone.”
“Ain’t that the truth, Mrs. Hampton,” Thelma said as she sipped some lemonade. Thelma worked in the kitchen peeling potatoes and onions. Hattie was outside watering the garden. Mrs. Hampton was busy home schooling Tina Louise. She had taught her some French and now she gave her an assignment to read the first four chapters of one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books. Thelma came in the dining room to set the table and watched Tina Louise sitting there reading.
“Sure wish your Mama hadn’t changed her mind about home schooling my little Ethan.”
“You really wanted her to do that, didn’t you, Thelma?”
“My heart was broken when she changed her mind, child.”
“Why’s that, Thelma?”
“Because Ethan isn’t getting proper learnin’ in that school and the books are real old. The kids are bullies and my boy is very unhappy.”
“Sorry about that, Thelma. I don’t think that is very fair.”
“I’m sorry, too, child. You get on with your reading.”
“Thelma, I might have a few books I could give you for Ethan.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m sure, Thelma. And I’ll talk to my Mom about Ethan being home schooled with me. I’d like some company. And I like Ethan.”
“Thank you, child.”
Millicent Boyd and Claudia Hartman joined Rita Hampton for tea at her house and a meeting of the Ladies of the Ridgewater Society Club.
“We have to make plans for our annual Masquerade Ball, Rita.”
“Yes, we do Millicent. We need to get all the ladies together for a formal meeting to discuss our plans.”
“Constance told me that you had considered home schooling Ethan.”
“Yes, I had till I was talked out of it by Mr. Willis. I think I might have made a mistake and maybe broke Thelma’s heart.”
“She does look up to you. Everyone in Ridgewater knows how she simply admires and adores you.”
“I think I should go talk to her. Wait here.”
Thelma was busy baking a cake when Mrs. Hampton came in to talk to her.
“Thelma, could I speak to you a moment?”
“Sure, Mrs. Hampton.”
“How is Ethan doing since we last spoke?”
“He’s enrolled in a program for disadvantaged students so he can get books to read and learn more.”
“I was wrong to change my mind. I’ve been thinking about it very seriously. I would like to home school Ethan. You have always been a good friend and I was letting my own fears about what people might say get in the way of doing the right thing for Ethan. I’m truly sorry. I’ll make arrangements to have Ethan learn here with me and Tina Louise.”
Thelma was speechless at first. She dabbed at her eyes and then hugged Mrs. Hampton. “Thank you. Bless you, Mrs. Hampton.”&
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