Small Town USA The Dark Side of Town

The morning sunlight streamed through the narrow windowpane above Julie's bed, and was reflected into many brilliant colors by the shinny metal bed frame. Julie slowly opened her right eye and watched the multicolored display on the wall of the trailer. She was too restless to go back to sleep and it was too early in the morning to wake the others. She quietly dressed and, after checking that the reporter was comfortable, left the trailer and followed the main horse trail that led to town. She walked briskly. In fifteen minutes she left the forest and entered the more-populated area just outside of town and parallel to the railroad tracks.

Julie walked past several old houses occupied by black families. The conditions reminded her of the communities that hugged the coastal roads of her beloved island of Vieques and the hilltops of Puerto Rico. Children were playing in front of one house and Julie heard a mother calling to the children. "Adam, Christy it's time for breakfast!"

Julie stared at the mother for a while then walked up to the house and faced the woman standing on the porch.

"I saw you the other night in town. Weren't you staying at the school?" asked Julie.

The woman looked at Julie, shrugging her shoulders, and answered, "Yeah"

Julie waited for the woman to continue, but after an uneasy silence Julie asked: "Could you tell me why you were in town, ma'am?"