Journal Entry #42
I got into an argument and Alexandra came to Maycomb, marking today as the start of her reign of power.
I believe I shall clarify more, seeing that this short sentence would only waste perfectly good paper.
It all started on Saturday if I'm correct. Atticus had been mighty busy and wasn't gonna be able to take the children to church Sunday. After a couple of minutes of debating, I decided to take Scout and Jem out to my church, instead of theirs. To my surprise, they seemed mighty delighted.
But I am telling you, those kids need another lesson in bathing! Especially Scout, poor girl had to take two baths in order to get that dirt off of her. Then Jem. I know he's growing up but, he must learn to take better baths, if not, I'll just have to watch him constantly, if a talking to won't fix that problem, then humiliation sure will.
Anyways, I'm getting side tracked. Where was I? Oh right, Sunday.
I had spent the night at the Finch's and once the two were presentable, I rushed them out the house and made our way to First Purchase, Jem trying to look happy as Scout's eyes were filled with energy and excitement.
I had smiled at the sight of the two, but it soon faded as we got closer, hopefully Lula won't cause a ruckus.
However, when we entered the brick courtyard, Lula's voice rang out amongst the crowd of my fellow churchgoers.
"What you up to, Miss Cal?" She asked.
My hands immediately went to Jem and Scout's shoulders as I looked for the familiar face who I saw frequently on every Sunday. When my eyes landed on her my hand accidentally dug into the children's shoulder as I stood there, trying to keep my voice quiet.
"What you want, Lula?"
"I wants to know why you bringin' white chillun to nigger church."
"They's my comp'ny."
"Yeah, an' I reckon you's comp'ny at the Finch house durin' the week."
I could immediately feel Jem tense up slightly as the crowd that had surrounded us murmured, gossips and nonsense spilling from their mouth at the scene in front of them I had whispered calmly to Scout not to worry, after all, we were at church, Lula wouldn't have the guts to do something that would make God himself look down at her with disgust.
Soon Lula made her way toward us and I immediately stopped her, not wanting her to get anywhere near me.
"You ain't got no business bringin' white chillun here—they got their church, we got our'n. It's our church, ain't it, Miss Cal?"
"It's the same God ain't it?" I retorted back, my blood boiling at the way Lula was acting. That woman truly has no sense of dignity.
Jem and Scout both asked if they could go home. However, soon enough, Lula stormed off and I stared back at her, my eyes probably showing amusement. Lula was always one to give up.
Soon my son, Zeebo, and Reverend Sykes joined us as the Reverend welcomed the children and lead us to the front pew.
Now I would continue but it would just be nothing but lines and lines filled with the sermon, songs, and endless chatter that Scout would make known, but to only be shushed by either myself or Jem,
However, I will cut straight to Alexandra Finch.
I have never really held a grudge against Mrs. Finch, but she made it known that she did not like the fact that I, in a way, raised the children, especially Scout.
I knew that when I saw her, sitting on the front porch casually, taking in the peaceful setting in front of her, we all were in for possibly months that were filled with arguing, smack talk, and most of all, a plead from Atticus to just let it rest.
I knew then and there, that today, marked the first day of Alexandra Finch's reign of power.