Authors: Mercedes Keyes
Hope’s face fell, overcome with disappointment, she turned into her brother's chest. Mike hugged her close.
“
We were hoping she was here. One of the reasons we’ve come home.” He said to her, and then to Jordan who walked up stunned to see an older Hope.
“
Lord…how you find this one. Look at you lil’girl. I bet you don’t remember me do you?” Jordan asked her in awe. Hope turned from her brother wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry, I don’t.”
“
I use to ride you around on my horse all the time. You had us all wrap ‘round yo’ lil’finga’. If it wouldn’t me, it was Leon. He-…”
“
Leon!” Mike blurted. “Where’s Leon?”
“
He wit’ yo’ daddy. The two’uv’em can’t be separated.”
“
I see.” Mike mused, disappointed.
Jordan was looking back at Hope. “What happened chile? How you get parted from yo’mama?”
Hope gave a sad smile. “I don’t know. It happened long ago, when I was still very small. Somehow – I ended up being raised by a family of gypsies. I haven’t a clue as to how I ended up with them – they believed that I was deserted by my mother.”
“
No! Not yo’ mama!” Jordan set that matter straight immediately. Hearing it, Mavis and the others who knew Lena agreed. “Yo’ mama would’ah never left you chile! Lena would die to protect you! Something happen…Lawd – somethin’ happen.” Mavis finished groaning.
The crowd murmured and listened, each giving what they knew of Lena. In the meanwhile, Niá’s eyes found a new target for attention; they were being drawn to Eugene, over and over again. He was staring at her as well; there was good reason.
She was as pretty as she was young, pecan brown glowing skin, big, dark expressive eyes, very full lips, and a plump young figure that was the talk of the young men on the plantation. She was full figured, ample bosomed with a tiny waist and flaring, broad hips and rear.
Her walk led a man’s imagination to all kinds of things he’d love to do with her. Right now, Eugene’s mind was right there. This visit seemed to hold something interesting for him after all. Again Niá dragged her eyes away but her heart was fluttering and missing beats. Never had she seen such a beautiful man before. He was not as tall as the master’s son…but in her eyes, a whole lot better looking. She chanced another sly glance; blushing because he was still looking at her, and he smiled knowingly, a smile that melted her very insides.
The crowd was loud around them, because Johnny Poe, Darrin and Sammy had come in from the cotton field. Laughter rang out as the four reunited friends picked each other up, slapped Mike on the back and gave bonding bear hugs to each other.
Grinning, Jordan loudly cleared his throat to be
heard over the rowdy din. “Ech-hmm! Mike my boy…don’t thank it escape our notice. You got some introducin’ t’do.” Jordan nodded towards Juan, Maria and her children standing quietly by the first wagon, content to watch all embrace Hope and Mike. Esteban stood beside Eugene taking it all in.
Mike was high on happiness despite their mother and father not being there as they’d hoped. He was so wrapped up in seeing his old friends again, that he’d neglected introducing his family, which he now turned proudly to. He walked to them looking them over and noticed Esteban was not there, he searched the crowd for him and spotted him next to Eugene.
“
Son!” He called. All turned to look at him as he dropped his horses' reigns and walked to his father and family, hearing the various gasps of surprise and murmurs on the way.
Upon reaching Mike’s side, he pulled him in under his arm, Maria under the other, with their four other children before them.
“
Jordan, Johnny, Sammy – well…everyone…this is my family!” He announced grinning, “My wife, Maria Louisa Webster…my oldest son, Esteban…my twins, Papo & Lolita. This is Felix, and the baby here –(he bent picking her up)- this is my Celina!”
The on lookers gave another gasp.
“
Dog, man, all dem’ babies yo’in!” Sammy exclaimed; making everyone present burst into laughter.
Before Mike could answer, Jordan shook his head saying, “Boy jus’ like his daddy…kept his mama the same way!” He joked, making all laugh – but Mike. Maria looked up at him, just as Hope shot a glance his way. He was playing it off, but they could see his jaw clench and flex.
“
Five boy?! Well that’s okay…leas’ they all with you! That’s a mighty fine wife you got yo’self too…you done yo’self proud boy…real proud. Who the rest here?” Jordan asked indicating Eugene and Juan.
Mike introduced them. “They are cousins of my wife. They have come along for safety reasons. This is Juan and that is Eugene.” Mike introduced. They both nodded to those speaking. Again Niá glanced at Eugene, nodding shyly. He smiled in anticipation of the days there to come.
“
Look here now! Yah’ll getting’ on my nerve! Get these horses to the barn and rub down. Them wagons too! I’m tellin’ you now, there gone be a celebration here tonight! Now off wit’ yah’ll – time to get it started!” Ferrus shouted and a cheer went up. Their horses were led away, as Mr. Weston directed them to take the trunks out for the women and carry them into the big house. Mike looked at Jordan and Mr. Weston.
“
Wait…you sure about that?” He asked, concerned
about them choosing to take their things into the mansion.
“
Sur’nough we sure!” Jordan and Mr. Weston both agreed. While all became busy with taking care of getting the horses and wagons put away, Juan and Eugene were led toward the stable and barn area to show them around. Mike’s old friends took off with the promise of them getting together later on.
The children among the crowd soon herded Mike’s four away before he could lay out his laws and restrictions of what they could and could not do. Ruby calmed their concerns. “Them kids be alright, they just got here…let’em run off some o’that sto’ed up energy…they be fine.”
Of course, Esteban remained at his father’s side. Now that the crowd had thinned, Jordan could ask what he’d been dying to ask. Following Mike as he slowly made his way toward the cabin that had once been his mother’s. Hope and Maria moved with him, neither of them realizing why he was moving toward the cabin. Hope looked at it, then at him.
“
It’s where we lived Hope. This was our mother’s cabin. I lived here with her, you as well I imagine.”
“
It still is her cabin. Nobody else been allowed in it, everything still inside.” Jordan informed them and then asked. “How is it son…you end up with Hope?”
Mike sighed as he stopped at the porch, propping his foot up. He’d known this question would come from someone, and so was prepared to answer it as he’d discussed with Hope and Maria.
“
She’s only been with me a few months. She somehow lost her way from the people raising her, and was found by Eugene and Juan. They brought her to our home to give aid, and well – the moment we saw each other…we knew.”
Jordan nodded accepting the explanation.
“
What happened Jordan, what made her leave?”
Jordan stepped onto the porch, taking a seat. Esteban sat on the edge of it next to his father. Hope and Maria moved themselves there as well, Hope taking the other seat as Maria leaned on the rail near her husband.
Thinking back, Jordan looked away from them; still to that day he felt the action he’d taken was the reason why Lena and Hope had been lost to Manny. Exhaling he explained, “Miss Katherine. Lena left because Miss Katherine threatened to take you, Hope, away from ya’ mama, as she got rid of ya’ brother.”
Hope felt her stomach tighten as her chest began to hurt. Tears welled in her eyes. Mike’s jaw tightened once again, feeling his anger growing as he listened.
“
I never forget that night. Ya’ mama was scared to death. She didn’t know where she gone go, or what t’do. She come to me l
ate in the night. It was rainin’, stormin’, wind blowin’ strong. She had you wrapped and bundled against the rain, carrying you like you was still a lil’baby, a big blanket bundle of some things on her other arm.”
“
I have vague memories of that. You put us on your horse – we rode in the rain.” Hope remembered.
“
That’s right. I try t’get her t’stay and hide but Miss Katherine give her the choice of leavin’ wit’ you, or forcing her away wit’out you. Said she’d get the dogs out afta’ ha’ she wasn’t gone by midnight. Wasn’t nothing I could say t’make her take a chance on stayin’ an’ waitin’ it out.”
It was at that point of the story, when Jean arrived. She’d been sitting with Ruth Weston, Mr. Weston’s daughter, who was married now, and close to giving birth. She’d just heard the news and made it there as soon as she could. Jordan looked up smiling.
“
Lord look at these chillin’. I can’t believe my eyes. Mike, you remember me boy?” Jean asked him. He gave a sad smile, nodding. “Yes ma’am I do. How are you?”
She walked up to him and caressed his arm. “I’m just fine. I can’t believe my eyes is all, an’ that one.” She said looking at Hope. She stepped up the porch stairs approaching Hope. “Look at you. You yo’ mama’s daughter baby. Fa’sho’ fa’sho. Bet you done fo’got me…you was just a lil’thing when you and yo’ mama go.” She reached up and wiped at Hope’s cheek, clearing a trail of tears.
“
We were separated somehow.” Hope squeaked with more tears flooding. “Oh baby…that’s what I hear.” Jean grabbed her and gathered her into her arms. “I’m so sorry to hear it…so sorry baby.” She hugged her close.
“
I was just tellin’em ‘bout that night I took’em away.” Jordan explained to Jean, who leaned back giving Hope a sad smile, she took a place next to her, keeping her arm supportively around her shoulders.
“
Where’d you take them?” Mike asked.
“
Ya’ mama was friends with my old master’s daughter, Josephine O’Brien. They meet at the Indian village when your mama use t’go there all the time.” He began. Another fragment of memory came to Hope, and she reached for the halved medallion under her blouse. “I remember that.” She whispered softly to herself.
Jordan resumed, “Well, tha’s where yo’ mama want me t’take her, t’Josey, an’ I did. Josey come gather you both in. I never seen nor hear anythin’ more after that.” Jordan finished quietly; feeling the memory and sadness of that night fill him again.
“
And where was Master Manny when all of this was happening to my mother!?” Mike asked coldly, his anger and resentment evident. Jordan
’s eyes searched Mike’s, surprised by his bitter tone towards his father.
“
Masta’ Manny? That’s yo’ daddy boy.” He reminded him. Mike grunted, and inquired again. “So where was he?”
“
He was gone, he-…”
“
Yes of course, as usual. He never could seem to be here when she needed him!”
Jean flashed Jordan a look of disbelief. Jordan stood staring down at Mike. “What’s yo’ problem boy? I’on thank I like yo’ tone, you blaimin’ yo daddy? You got somethin’ on yo’ min’ you wanna blame him fo’?”
“
Miguel-…” Maria called to her husband to caution him. He ignored her.
“
Damn right I do. He used her! He treated her like his bed-wench– his whore. He never gave a damn about-…”
“
Listen hear boy - you watch yo’ mouth! There women present.” Jordan warned.
“
Excuse me, I apologize for my words but I’m not about to bite my tongue about the truth.”
“
Which is?” Jordan asked feeling his anger grow.
“
Miguel…” Maria called again.
“
If it’s all the same to you ma’am – I wants t’hear what he got t’say.” Jordan turned calmly to quiet Maria. She swallowed getting nervous. Hope was holding her breath.
“
As I said, I’m not about to bite my tongue, pretending all was sunshine and roses here…when we both know that would be far from the truth. He broke my mother’s heart! He disregarded her – he disregarded me! He married that woman and brought her here! It was doing that – which opened up all the hell in my mother’s life! I blame him – I blame him for it all!” Mike finished with such bristling anger he was shaking, his eyes red and fighting tears. Jordan stood straight, set back by his hostility.
“
If that’s the way you feel boy – why you come back here?”
“
I came for my mother!”
“
Yo’ mama ain’t here!”
“
Guess we got no reason to stay here then – do we?”
“
Mike!” Hope cried out.
“
Miguel, no!” Maria seconded.
“
Well since you leavin’ no sooner than you get here, I best get in my say before you go!” Jordan informed him. He turned to the women. “Jean…lead’em off.”
“
No…please, understand this about my husband – he-…”
“
Maria! Silencio! Go!” Mike barked.
Jean stood away from the wall gesturing with her head for them to follow. “He be okay, let Jordan handle this.” She whispered.
Hope, now upset with her brother, grabbed up her skirt and darted down the steps from the porch with Jean following. She looked back at Maria, who hesitated. “Go.” Her husband repeated. Biting into her bottom lip, she did as she was told.
Jordan, Mike, Esteban and Henry were left at the porch. The others wandered off to get things ready for the coming celebration.
Henry remained silent – listening. Jordan stood, his eyes, his stance, all giving an indication that he needed to give himself a moment to think before responding. He could only imagine what Mike had gone through since being sold away. Regardless of the passage of time, he loved him, as he did his father. As always, Jordan rose to defend Manny…he always would.
“
You know, you may not like hearin’ this…but I’mo say it anyway. Yo’ mama was … his bed-wench. Yo’ mama was … his slave. Bought and paid for …why? ’Cause like it or no, she a Negro. She ain’ never gone be nothin’ more t’no white man…but that, if he make ha’.”
“
I don’t wanna to hear this!” Mike ground out, fighting his angst and anger.
“
When I get done, you can leave if you wants, ‘til then, you gon’listen.” Jordan dictated.
Mike stood in place, not daring to move. Not because he couldn’t move, rather because he wouldn’t. He would never disrespect an elder. He would never disrespect Jordan. It was something as deeply ingrained in him as his knowledge of his mother’s love. Esteban had never seen his father humbled in such a way. It gave him a strange feeling inside, as if he needed to defend him, at the same time he knew his father needed no defending. There was a reason he stood taking what he did from this man. Obviously he was someone worthy of the respect his father gave him. It was a lesson he would not forget.
“
Now, even though that be the case wit’ yo’ mama, the truth is…no matter what you say he did t’her, fact is, yo’ daddy love her – with all his heart and soul. I ain’ neva’ seen no man…love a woman, the way yo’ daddy love Lena. No man! He can’t help it ‘cause he white. He can’t help it ‘cause she black. Because o’that – he done somethin’ he would’na done if this world would’ah left them be. Yo’ granddaddy-…”
“
Please don’t call that man my granddaddy; he was my master – nothing more.” Mike corrected softly, he would not accept Morris Webster as his grandfather.