Fresh Ink: An Anthology

This story takes place during World War II. The narrator, Zakary James, is a 16-year-old boy of color who left his father’s farm at age 12. He admits that he was never suited to living on the farm. Although he regularly worked eight- and 10-hour days for his father, he realized that he was most interested in “books.”

Now, he’s unhoused but spends most of his time at the Lucky Linda Café. He was previously involved with a group of boys who robbed the owner, Mr. Jackson, and in recompense for what they did, he painted a mural of stars and planets on the outside of the café. He describes painting the mural as an act of painting a “new life,” and six months later, he feels like a new person. He regularly helps Mr. Jackson and his wife, Ma Susie, by waiting on customers in return for food. He has a love-hate relationship with Mr. Jackson, who regularly complains about his unhoused status and scolds him for sleeping in the café yet begrudgingly thanks him and feeds him for his help. Ultimately, Zakary plans to join the Navy.

As business dies down each day, Zakary sits and paints. He has a 10-foot roll of brown butcher’s paper on which he has been painting the entire solar system for two years. A white, blue-eyed Navy sailor, Jim Nicholson, asks Zakary about his painting, and the boy explains the constellations and planets to him and then expresses his belief that one day humans will get to the moon and even Saturn.

Zakary and Nicholson begin to talk. Nicholson explains that his father was a World War I hero but is now dead; nevertheless, he sits in the café to write him a letter, which Zakary notes he does for hours each day. Nicholson joined the Navy at age 14, three years earlier, and asks Zakary whether he plans to do so but advises him against it, in particular because of all of the death he has seen.

Zakary tells the truth about his aspirations to Nicholson, noting to himself that this is the first time he has told the “whole truth” to someone. From the first time he learned about the Vikings and Columbus, he wanted to be a sailor. He wants to be a quartermaster and use the stars to navigate. When Nicholson remarks that they don’t allow “Negroes” to hold that position, Zakary responds that they will, eventually. After his work as a quartermaster, he plans to attend school and then teach astronomy, eventually becoming one of the scientists who helps humans get to the moon.

The café doors open, and four boys rush in, including Ezekiel, one of Zakary’s friends, who robbed Mr. Jackson. The boys rob the customers in the café, and chaos ensues as Mr. Jackson yells to Zakary and brandishes a hatchet. Ezekiel grabs a purse and throws it to Zakary, telling him to meet him later at the “usual place,” and then runs out the door. Zakary stands with the purse and considers, remembering each of the places he has left in his life for one reason or another. Mr. Jackson looks at him, his eyes sad, and asks Zakary to stay. Everything seems to stop, as Zakary considers; he then apologizes and follows the boys out.

Zakary meets up with Ezekiel and the other boys by the pawn shop. Zackary remembers how Ezekiel was the first person he met in the city and how he feels as though he owes Ezekiel for everything he has done for him. When sirens sound in the distance, the boys get up to flee, but Zakary can’t make himself go. Instead, he writes down his address for Ezekiel and tells him that his father will take him in as a farmhand and pay him well. Zakary then returns to the café and finds Mr. Jackson sitting on a bench. He tells Mr. Jackson that he wants to go to college and live his dreams and that he should have a “right” to do that, but Mr. Jackson doesn’t answer.

Mr. Jackson tells Zakary that he had to pay the woman for her stolen money, as well as for her purse, telling Zakary that he’s “indebted” to him for it. Zakary sits at his usual table and contemplates his “duty” to pursue his dreams.