Lake On the shore was a violin case, covered by a white shirt. I was alone by the ocean, practicing, playing a classic song with passion.
Giani lived with that tragedy, which later became a nightmare to him for weeks. This tragic incident traumatized and haunted him every hour of his life. Despite that, he decided not to talk to anyone about it. Sometimes he felt guilty about it, wishing he could have done something to save Mr. Hallad's life, but that night all he could've done was watch him take his last breath and run away, because a store owner had been murdered and as a young Negro, Giani would probably have been blamed for the murder. He would obviously be found guilty before getting a trial. My father used to tell me that being a Negro is a punishment and misery caused by the white supremacy.
Dining Room The next day, the morning after the robbery, my mother, Edwith, Sherley, and I were having breakfast when Giani entered the room.
He pulled up a chair with anger, and sat in silence.
"Bad dream last night?" Sherley teased Giani.
Giani glanced at Sherley.
"What's the matter, Giani?" asked my mother.
"Nothing, Ma."
My mother left her chair to approach him.
"Don't tell me nothing is wrong. I know my Giani better than that."
"Maybe he is constipated. I think he needs to go to the vet across the street," I said.
"Carter, this is not funny."
"Sorry, I was trying to make Giani laugh. Well, I better leave for the contest then. Be cool, Giani." As I got up, I put my hand on Giani's shoulder.
My mother was terrified and determined to find out what was killing Giani softly inside.
My mother and Giani sat on the bed. She had her arm on his shoulder. Giani's eyes became all red. As he was telling the story to my mother, light tears rolled down his somber face.
"I feel guilty about it, wishing that I could have done something to save his life. But there was so little I could do. I was scared. All I could hear in the back of my head was run...run, run...run, while he was dying on the floor."
"You didn't do anything wrong, my baby."
My mother handed him a tissue to wipe his tears. She listened to him attentively with a saddened face.
"Remember that you didn't do anything wrong."
My mother stood up. She picked up the phone, dialed the police station number, and then hung it up before it started ringing. She kissed Giani on his forehead.
"I love you, son."
"I love you, too, Mother." He embraced his mother.
"Everything is going to be all right." They hugged each other strongly.
