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“I’ll have to see how Regan feels. Tell Glenda I’ll let her know as soon as I’m able.”
“The wife says she can bring the baby and Anna if she needs to.”
“I don’t think an adult dinner is a place for our children, but her offer is very kind, and I’ll pass it along. Thanks for the invitation.”
Garrett expected Cale to depart after that, but he didn’t.
Lee asked curiously, “Is there something else I can help you with, Arnold?”
He drew himself up importantly. “The town council wants to know if Mr. McCray plans to interview us for the newspaper story, too. Miller and I think your readers might like to learn more about our town and some of the other people who reside here.”
Garrett sensed Cale was really referencing himself. “I’d be very interested in talking to the council. Newspapers have limited space, so Ican’t promise all we discuss will be in the final draft, but let me know when’s a good time to speak to everyone.”
He beamed. “Can we meet this evening at Dovie’s? Say around seven?”
“Sure. I don’t see why not.”
“Good. We’ll be there. I’ll let you two get back to your business.”
Once he was gone, Lee said, “Let’s hope he and Miller don’t end up fighting over who gets to talk the most.”
“Are they competitive?”
“Yes, and spend a lot of time attempting to top each other.”
“How so?”
“Last year on the Fourth of July, they tried to outdo each other with the size of the American flags they displayed on their businesses.”
“Who won?”
“Arnold. They both had flags big as the Territory, but the bank sported two. Miller was furious for weeks.”
As the conversation continued, Lee had questions of his own for Garrett, such as what he did for a living, how life back East was faring for members of the race, and the future plans for the newspaper.
“I’m a carpenter by trade and frankly, my father’s paper is not very successful. He’s determined to keep at it, but sundown papers can be difficult to keep afloat.” He saw Lee’s confusion and explained as he had to Spring. “Sundowns are newspapers worked on after the editor gets home from his day job.”
Lee nodded his understanding. “What’s your father’s occupation?”
“He’s the doorman at one of the white hotels. He couldn’t take the time off to travel here, so he sent me instead.”
“Those are prestigious positions for men like us.”
“True. He was a coachman during slavery, so he knows how to conduct himself, even if the guests sometimes forget we’re free now.” His father was often infuriated by the more bigoted encounters such as those who slurred him for not opening the door fast enough, or accused him of ogling their wives. But as Lee pointed out, it was a prestigious position and the pay provided his parents a comfortable life when compared to those forced to live hand to mouth by picking rags, or shoveling horse manure from the streets.
Lee said, “When I was in Washington, the most coveted jobs were low-level patronage positions at places like the post office.”
“That’s still true, but most people lack the necessary political connections with the Republican party to secure one.”
They talked for a short while longer and when they were done, Garrett was pleased. “I think I have all I need for now,” he said, closing his journal. “Would it be possible to accompany you on some of your doctor visits? I’d respect your patients’ privacy and not get in your way.”
“I’m sorry, no, but I can let you attend the visits I make with animal patients.”
“Animal patients?”
“Yes. We don’t have a local veterinarian, so I do what I can to help with ailing stock and pets.”
Garrett found that intriguing. “My father’s readers might be very interested in that side of your practice.” He certainly was.
