had already come to understand the tidiness of lies, the lesson learned from the stories told by white people seeking to justify my circumstance. - Percival Everett

It could have been my turn to experience a bit of guilt, having toyed with the boy's feelings, and he being too young to actually understand the problem with his behavior, but I chose not to. When you are a slave, you claim choice where you can.

I hated the world that wouldn’t let me apply justice without the certain retaliation of injustice.

To fight in a war,” he said. “Can you imagine?” “Would that mean facing death every day and doing what other people tell you to do?” I asked. “I reckon.” “Yes, Huck, I can imagine.