This is a true story…
It was two days before Halloween when Jackie heard someone tapping on her door. As she walked to the door she realized it was light scratching and tapping. As she opened the door slowly then she picked up a single white envelope. Jackie opened the envelope and removed the little white note card: “You are cordially invited to the historic Groovey Grill Mansion’s annual Halloween bash.”
Two days later:
Upon arriving to the Groovey Grill, Jackie noticed how quiet it was in front of the house. There were no cars, no valet, and no lights peering out of the windows. Thinking to herself she was being played, Jackie turned to walk away when out of the corner of her eye she noticed a flicker of light from the large bay window.
As Jackie slowly walked towards the door of the mansion she noticed the columns were no longer the elegant white she remembered but painted a color. Jackie walked closer and wiped her eyes as she observed the bright color of purple. “Has Striker lost his mind”, she thought to herself. She moved even closer to distinguish if there was purple fabric simply wrapped around the columns. Placing her hands on the columns Jackie realized they were actually painted bright purple.
Jackie giggled to herself, “maybe Prince is coming to the party” she whispered. Then the door flew open and the dark, quiet abruptly transitioned. There was music and laughter that floated from inside the mansion to Jackie’s ears.
Standing in the doorway was a tall pale man. Due to the bright lights from behind his head Jackie couldn’t get a good look at his face. Maybe it was Strickland she thought. “Come on girl, get in here with yourself”, the man ordered at her. Jackie thought that didn’t sound like Strickland. “Come on girl, get”, the man yelled. Jackie jumped at the order and hurried inside the mansion.
As Jackie crossed the Groovey Grill threshold she felt a flood of joy inside her. Then she noticed, everyone was dressed in the most detailed and extravagant costumes. Jackie was dressed in a simple paper witch costume and immediately felt inappropriate.
“So who are you?” said the tall man.
Jackie turned towards him but didn’t say a word. She just stare at his fancy light purple suit with gold cuff links and a shiny gold pocket watch chain crossing one side of his vest. The man leaned his head back and held out his hand. “Well, I’m Prince. Jessie Prince.” Shaking his hand Jackie introduces herself. Then she apologizes for her artless dress.
“I just love your outfit” a beautiful woman said as she approaches them. Jessie puts his arm around her and proudly announces, “This is my lovely wife, Faurice.” “It’s very nice to meet you – welcome to the Groovey Grill”, Faurice spoke as if those words were etched into her soul. “Thank you”, Jackie blushed and smiled. Then Jessie abruptly excused himself with an excuse about checking on the kitchen staff.
Faurice then took Jackie under her arm and walked her throughout the party introducing her to everyone as if she were family. Jackie greeted everyone with a smile, yet she still wondered who these strange people were and when did Strickland hire them. Nevertheless after a glass and a half of Halloween happy punch Jackie began to loosen up and dance to the music with herself and by herself.
On the deck, Jackie sat in and listened to stories and debates of life in Houston before integration and thanks to the fried chicken and the owners’ hospitality the Groovey Grill was the only nice eatery where Houston’s blacks could dine and mingle. In the bar, as Faurice Prince made drinks for the GI’s in vintage uniforms, he told stories about the “old” neighborhood and how he referred to it as Frog Alley because of the many unpaved streets that flooded constantly.
In the sunroom, Jackie talked with small groups of people and stared at old pictures on the wall. She still could not get over the detail of the guest costumes. Then she began to realize that many of the guests came to the party dressed as the people in the wall photos. People were dressed like Lyndon B. Johnson, Willie Mays, Jr., Barbara Jordan, Roy Campanella, Muhammad Ali, Mickey Leland, Lloyd Bentsen, Hank Aaron and Ray Charles. Jackie thought it was a great idea and regretted that she didn’t do the same thing.
The next morning:
Jackie went to see Striker to express thanks for inviting her to the party. After entering his office and acknowledging the invite. Striker responded, “What party?” Jackie tilted her head to the right as she often did in confusion and told Striker about the party she attended last night.
Striker stood up from behind his desk and announced to Jackie that there were no purple columns and no party at his house the previous night. As Jackie walked out onto the street she couldn’t help but to wonder what actually happened the night before, who invited her to the party and who did she really meet the night before.
As Jackie drove home, she decided to detour past the Groovey Grill mansion to take a look at the purple columns. As she drove past 2619 Calumet, Jackie looked out the window and saw elegant white columns encircling the front entrance of the mansion. Although confused, Jackie will never forget the Halloween party she attended at the Groovey Grill nor will she forget the history she learned about her people and her community that night.
This is a true story…or is it?