Today’s random word is anxiety; the genre is historical fiction.

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This story was published in Medium’s Fiction Shorts.

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James: “Sometimes I feel like I am doing penance.”

Edward: “How long was your third great-grandfather governor of Mississippi?”

James: “Four years, 1904–1908. He was a complicated man. But a racist, even by the standards of the time.”

Edward: “You’re not like him.”

James: “After we close, at dusk, I walk around the grounds full of anxiety. It’s like I’m holding something back.”

Edward: “Hey, you’re the only white guy on the staff. Are you thinking about quitting?

James: “While walking around last night, I stopped at the Akoto-Bamfo sculpture and wept.

I’m sticking around.”

Edward: “Thank You.”

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I took this photo from the Rosa Parks Library and Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. You can read about James K. Vardaman here.