Free Little Black Girl Lost by Keith Lee Johnson

learn how the stock market works from Martin then I’ll be rich someday. I will not give away the best part of me for nothin’. I will not end up like my mother. Men want me. Fine. They’ll pay for the privilege.
    They turned onto Main Street, where a host of Baroque Parish’s black businesses were located. Well dressed Negro men and women were everywhere, going in and out of stores and restaurants. The Sepia Theater, owned by local entrepreneur Walker Tresvant, was the first building Johnnie saw. Tresvant was a millionaire who held the mortgages on several buildings on Main Street, including an office building, which contained the offices of Attorney Ryan Robertson, Cambridge Books and Publishing, Bernard Coleman’s architectural firm, and several other successful Negro owned and operated businesses.
    Continuing down Main Street, Johnnie saw Philip Collins’ barber shop, with its red and white stripes just outside the front door. Further down, she saw a sign that read: DENNIS EDWARDS’ TAILOR AND CLOTHING STORE . Across the street from the clothing store was Nagel’s Construction Company, which was right next to Michael and Beverly’s Bakery and Sweets. At the end of the block near First Street was New Orleans’ only Negro newspaper called The Raven. Across the street from The Raven was Mr. Big Stuff’s World Famous Plantation Barbecued Ribs.
    Just before Earl turned onto East Ashland Avenue, where the upper class Negroes lived, Johnnie saw a sign for Ashland Estates. Among its residents were many of New Orleans’ educated colored professionals, the descendants of well-to-do slave owners. Among them were doctors, lawyers, an architect, and even a few published writers. The neighborhood was also full of maids who served as courtesans for their white employers. Many of these women were the mothers of illegitimate children spawned by these unholy unions.
    As they rode down the street, Johnnie could see how pristine the neighborhood looked. This must be a mistake. This must be where the white folks live. The houses were huge and well-maintained, with manicured lawns. Seeing this impressive display of luxury, Johnnie couldn’t help being roused from her dispirited thoughts. She was just about to ask Earl if they were in the right place when she saw a black man using a key to go into the front door of one of the homes.
    She looked at Earl. He was smiling. He loved doing nice things for her. It made him feel necessary. But right now, he was smiling because of what she was going to do for him later.
    Earl pulled into the driveway of a yellow two-story home with shrubs and daffodils near the entrance. He turned off the ignition and looked at her.
    â€œWell, what do you think?”
    â€œIs this my place, Earl?” Johnnie asked, unable to contain herself.
    â€œYes. It’s all yours,” Earl said, dangling the keys.

Chapter 20
    â€œAll you can handle, Earl.”
    J ohnnie saw a black woman in the house next to hers peeking out of the window, watching them as they approached the front door. When the woman saw Johnnie looking at her, she closed the curtains for a moment or two, then resumed watching. I wonder who she is. I hope we can be friends when I move in.
    Earl handed Johnnie the keys and asked, “Would you like to do the honors?”
    â€œYeah.”
    She walked into the foyer and gasped when she saw the cream-colored walls in the unbelievably spacious living room. To her surprise, the house wasn’t in as bad a shape as she expected. There was a fireplace, a ceiling fan and well-maintained hardwood floors. As far as she was concerned, the house was ready for her to move in that day. Sure, it needed some furniture, some plants, some rugs and a few other trinkets to make it homey, but this was a palace—her palace.
    â€œEarl, ain’t nothin’ wrong with this place. This is just fine. I can move in now.”
    â€œWell, let’s look at