Ashton's P.O.V

I'm at the shop working on a car when one of my co-workers walk in, "Howdy Ashton." I look up and it's Fred. I smile up at him, "Hello." I put down the wrench I was using back into the tool box. "So a few of the fellas keep telling me that you've been hanging out with a negro girl, is that true?" He asks, leaning against a already fixed car.

My smile fades, "Yeah I have. Why do you care?" I get up wiping my hands with my rag. "I don't. I just want you to be careful. These folks are crazy. Yesterday, I saw a black little boy get hung in his own front yard because he looked at a white little girl." He says. My heart breaks. I shake my head at his words. "That's horrible. He was only a child." I say in disbelief.

"I know man. It was bad. The family tried to get him back but there's was too many people. So his family couldn't do anything." He says going over to a car to fix. I walk away going towards the employee room, "Hey, where you going?" I ignore him and let the door shut behind me. I clock out and head to my car. I get into my car and went straight to Grace's school.

Grace's P.O.V

The final bell rings and I grab my book sack off the floor. I threw it over my shoulder and walked out of Mrs. Bonin's class and into the crowded hallway. Mary Lou checked out during 5th hour because she wasn't feeling too good. She did look a little pale. Since it's the first week of February the weather got colder.

I walk out of the double doors and went down the steps. Minding my own business I hear somebody call my name. I look up and it's Ashton across the street in his coveralls with grease stains all over. I smile and looked both ways. I jogged over to him with my book sack bouncing behind me. He has his arms open, I envelop myself into his arms.

He places a kiss on the top of my head. I let go of our hug, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at work?" I smile up at him. He rubs the back of his neck avoiding eye contact now. My smile fades, "Ashton?" I place my hands on his hips trying to get him too look at me. He sighs and looks at me, "I wanted to make sure you made it home safely. I heard about the little boy." He says with a frown on his face.

My heart breaks. My mother told me this morning. Billy Brown was his name. His mother called my mother the minute it happened. He was only 8. Apparently he looked at Mr. Marshal's daughter the wrong way. I know damn well he didn't. He was too shy to give anybody a look. I think Mr. Marshal just wanted to see another negro gone. He's such an evil man.

"Yeah. He was my moms best friends little boy. My mom is over there now. Can you drop me off there?" I ask. He nods and walks to the passenger door. I follow behind him as he opens it for me. I smile up at him and got in. He closes the door and jogs in front of his car. He gets in and starts up his vehicle.

We make it to the Brown's residence. Ashton parks on the side of the street, "What are you doing?" I ask. "I want to see your mom." He simply says. We get out of his car. He waits for me with his hand out. I smile up at him and intertwined our fingers. We walk across the street to the Brown's home.

We walk up the few steps and made it to the door. I knock a few times on the screen door. The wooden door opens revealing a tear faced Mr. Brown. He sniffs and gives me a small smile, "Hello Grace. Who's this?" He nods towards Ashton. I look up at Ashton looking nervous, "This is Ashton. Don't worry. He's one of us." I smile at Mr. Brown. Even though he's best friends with my mother doesn't mean he trusts all whites.

He opens the door and reaches out his hand out to Ashton. Ashton puts a smile on his face and takes in Mr. Brown's large hand. They shake hands, "Come on in. We're all in the living room." Mr. Brown steps to the side letting me and Ashton into his home as he gets rid of the liquid that's on his face.

I look to my left to see my mother and Mrs. Brown sitting on the couch looking at photo albums of Billy with tears running down their cheeks. Ashton squeezes my hand. I look up at him, "She needs you." He says letting go of my hand. I nod and walked over to my mom.

Ashton's P.O.V.

Grace walks over to her mother and Mrs. Brown. I look at the sight. Harriet brings Grace into a warm and loving hug as Mrs. Brown holds her hand. They interact with one another talking about the little boy. I feel a strong hand on my shoulder. I look over to my right and it's Mr. Brown looking at the ladies as well.

"Come on let's give them their time. You want some coffee?" He asks. I look at him with a soft smile, "Yes sir." He gives me a smile and starts walking to the kitchen. He makes me a cup of coffee and we are sitting at the dining table. He takes a sip of the hot liquid. Then he looks over at me, "How you know Harriet and Grace?" He asks, playing with his mug.

"I met Grace at a frat party back in January and Harriet at the grocery store." I tell him. He nods at my response. "What are your intentions with Grace? She's like a daughter to me. I will protect her from any guy, including you." He says sternly. "My intentions? I just want her to be happy in this cruel world. And if I can give her that happiness I'm not letting her go, sir." I tell him.

"You're an outsider. How can I trust you with her?" He motions towards Grace. I look at Mr. Brown right in the eyes, "I would never harm Grace in way shape or form. I may be an outsider but I'm good people Mr. Brown. I'll even prove it to you. I can show you that she means a lot to me." I tell him. He nods at my response. "Okay I believe you, son. Just don't hurt her." He says sternly.

I nod, "I promise." Mr. Brown and I had small talk. About the situation with his son and about me. He asked why I moved here and I told him. After awhile of Mr. Brown and I socializing, Mrs. Brown enters the dining area with puffy eyes with Harriet and Grace. "Sorry for not introducing myself. I'm Tatiana." She says in a horse voice with her hand out.

I get up and wrapped my arms around her. She pats my back. I pull away and gave her a soft smile, "No need to apologize, ma'am." I tell her. She gives me a smile. She walks to her husband giving him a quick kiss, "I'm going get supper ready. Y'all are welcome to stay." Her country twang coming out. "We'll love to. Ashton?" Harriet asks. All eyes are on me. I look from Grace to Mr. Brown. I look at Mrs. Brown with a toothy smile, "I wouldn't miss it for the world." She nods. "Okay. Is sausage and potatoes okay?" She asks everybody.

We all nod. She pats Mr. Browns shoulder and he gets up with his empty coffee mug. "I'm coming to help." Harriet says, walking with the couple to the kitchen leaving me and Grace alone. I pull the chair out and pat it sitting down in my chair. She smiles at me and takes a seat. I pull the chair closer to me. Little giggles escape your lips. She looks up at me, "So how was Mr. Brown? He wasn't too hard on you?" She ask.

I bring my arm around her shoulder, "Not at all." I smile at her. She nods, "Good. He's very protective over me. I'm surprise he let you live." She laughs. I laugh with her. "He does love you. He just wants what's best for you." I tell her. She nods, "I know." She looks at me and places a hand on my face. Her thumb rubs my cheek. I lean into her touch placing my hand on top of hers.

"I-" I stop her. "You don't have to say it if you're not ready. I'll understand, darling." I tell her. She shuts her mouth and nods. She takes her hand off my face but continues to hold my hand. She looks down at her hands, "What are we?" She asks not looking up at me. I freeze. "What do you want us to be, Grace?" I ask her. She shrugs her shoulders, "I don't know. I want to be with you but I don't want you to be in danger for being with me." She says finally looking up at me.

I take her face into my hands and placed my lips against hers. I deepened the kissing by putting so much love into it. We break away and we look into each other's eyes. "Grace, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. I rather be killed or get hurt by being with you. I don't want anybody else." I tell her.

She wraps her arms around me. I place my hands on her waist. "I love you." She whispers in my ear. A smile appears on my face at those simple words. I place a kiss on her neck, "I love you, too."