“Gentlemen,” Jackson stopped beside Samuel and David. “This here is Mr. Josiah Feigleman, the conductor.”

A tall man with a red handlebar mustache leaned over the soldiers’ table. “If you colored boys would please come with me? We just crossed the Tennessee border, and we’re obliged to move you out of the dining car.”

Samuel set down his fork and glanced at David, “Told ya’. I’m surprised they let us get through Texas and Oklahoma. Get your stuff.” He stood and pulled his satchel from the overhead compartment.

David stood, following his friend’s example and pulled his gear down. He glanced toward Agnes and Katherine and touched his forehead. “Ma’am. Miss Katherine. It’s been a pleasure traveling with you. Thanks again for your kindness.”

Agnes flung down her napkin and lurched from the table. “What kind of nonsense is this? Jackson? Where in blazes are you taking my friends?” She grabbed his arm.

You tell them, Grandma! Katherine slid out of her seat and took her grandmother’s hand. “I agree with Grandma. What’s all this about?” Leave it to Grandma to call out an injustice.

Jackson patted Grandma’s hand. “It’s the law, ma’am. Ever since the border of Texas and through the connecting states, we been in Jim Crow country. Them’s segregation states. A Negro can go to jail if he’s seen commiseratin’ with a white woman, unless he’s got a good reason. In Tennessee, coloreds aren’t allowed to mingle with white folks in public places, such as restaurants, buses, or even here on the train.” He lowered his eyes. A muscle twitched beside his mouth. How hard it must be for him to bring such a dreadful message to the two soldiers.

Grandmother’s face paled. “I’ve heard about these laws, but I didn’t believe it would matter on the train. If they had such laws in Texas and Oklahoma, why didn’t you mention it before?”

Jackson shrugged, his gaze darting between Katherine and Agnes. “In them states, we can choose not to enforce the law if no one complains, but now we in Tennessee, they more strict. We gotta move these boys now or they could make trouble for the railroad.” He glanced nervously at the conductor.

Grandmother snorted, “I’ve never heard of anything so idiotic. It’s disgraceful. They’re United States soldiers!” Grandmother knotted her fists. She leaned forward until she was just inches from the conductor’s face. “How dare you treat these fine young men like this? Has anyone told you there’s a war on? David and Samuel are on their way to train as fighter pilots. They’re going to risk their lives for our right to sit here and eat chicken and strawberries!”

“Where ever you’re taking these boys, we’re going with them.” Katherine’s gaze swept the travelers in the dining room. “Is anyone else coming with me?” Her traveling companions lowered their heads, pretending they couldn’t see what was happening. Must be what the Roman citizens thought, seeing Christians thrown to the lions. Don’t get involved. Don’t make waves. There were plenty more hungry lions.

“Anyone else coming? Okay, then, Katherine and I will go alone.” Agnes said.

The conductor smoothed his mustache. “Sorry, ma’am. I can’t let you do that. The law states coloreds must be separate from whites. If you make a fuss, I’ll have to put you under citizens’ arrest, and turn you over to the authorities. They’re most unpleasant with folks who disobey the Jim Crow laws.”

David touched Agnes’s arm. “Please, Mrs. Odboddy. Don’t get into trouble on our account. We were getting off the train in Memphis, anyway. We’re taking a bus from there to the Tuskegee Air Base.”

“Now, don’t you worry about these boys, ma’am,” the conductor interrupted. “They’ll be most comfortable. We’ll just pull curtains around their seats in the back of the club car. That separates them from the others.”

“Curtains, is it? Wouldn’t want to offend the white folks by the sight of two Negro soldiers. Most considerate, I must say. It would have been so much easier to throw them off the train and make them walk!”

Katherine’s loosed Grandmother’s hand. She was right to object to such blatant discrimination, but at this point, they couldn’t risk an encounter with the law. Landing in a Memphis jail wouldn’t accomplish their mission. How selfish of me! Her cheeks burned at the thought.