Summary

Chapter 4 is titled “Ella May" and is dated Sunday, May 5, 1929. Ella is in the truck bound for Bessemer City. She needs hope in her life at this moment, but she feels fear. No one gets on at their first stop. At Lincolnton, they are confronted by men who object to the union efforts. Some people throw things at the truck and Ella tries to hide. One man tries to climb on the truck and Ella knocks him off. They scream “all manner of curses about Russia and communism and whores and Reds” (89). The truck stops and the driver, Sophia, joins Ella in the back while the other woman, Velma Burch, takes the wheel. Sophia is 19 and has been in several countries. Her parents are activists. Sophia asks about Ella's life and believes that Ella could be the voice and face of the local union...