In Tom Parrish's contemporary story, Complicity, we find racial tension and abused authority come to life. In the story, it seems that Mr. Parks, a police officer was always on the lookout for anyone he could hunt down, anyone he could reprimand. Jeb and Ricky frequently disputed both physically and verbally. Despite the fact that Rick, Parks's son, would provoke Jeb, Parks would still regularly threaten Jeb for doing so. I could tell then that he had a serious anger issue that was ready to be released on any and everyone.
As the story continues, we find Mrs. Parks was tied up by who they said to be a black man, and was "roughed up." I knew something was up just based on who Mr Parks is. If he terrorizes even his neighbors, nonetheless black civilians, who on earth would try to avenge him? After Jeb tells Bob that he heard arguing and "sounds" that included the voice of Mr. Parks during the night of the break-in, my suspicions sky-rocketed. Once I saw Mr. Parks kept inquiring about what Jeb seen or heard, I knew that he was somehow involved.
The quote provided completely reaffirmed my suspicions and shed light on the abusive husband that Mr. Parks is. With all the growing tension that was in the south at that time, it was ironic that someone who was supposed to be enforcing the law was part of a hidden problem. Domestic violence roared on by his hands in his own household, but he diligently roamed the streets to hunt down that particular violence. To cover his own tracks, he even went as far as to camp out with a shotgun right on his lawn. He'd rather do the unnecessary to avoid facing himself. It's remarkable how ugly the truth can be when your own mirror reveals it.
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