Authors: Mercedes Keyes
All dismounted and
entered. The expanse of the area was close to an acre, Jordan showed them the grave of their grandmother, Royal Sun, and of ol’Ceasar and Ben who passed away a few years before. Further on, Jordan explained more surrounding Kayleen’s death, “When Ruby run looking for somebody to help her with Kayleen, she find yo’ daddy sleepin’ in Lena’s cabin. Running back to the big house, he sat there next to her, quiet, tha's how me an’ Henry find him when we come. He pick her up and take her to ha’ cabin. He say, she once tol’im when she die, put her in the shade under the biggest tree he could find.” As he went on, they were climbing a slight rise in the land, heading for a massive weeping willow. Cresting the rise, they saw the headstone and stood before it.
“
This where Kayleen lay…yo’ daddy dig her grave himself. You know she was like a mama to’im. Her dyin’ took him down the rest of his fall.”
“
What do you mean?” Hope asked.
“
Yo’ daddy went a hard way fo’ awhile, tha’s all.” Amos provided. Mike stood staring down at the grave.
KAYLEEN O’RILEY
1754 – 1824
REST IN PEACE
MY MOTHER
HERE COOL IN THE SHADE
“
O’Riley.” Mike asked curious about her surname.
“
She was a O’Riley…like yo’ grandmamma Royal Sun O’Riley. They was sisters you see; Kayleen’s mama was a servant of Royal’s daddy, who die in chil’ birth. Miss Royal seen that baby, an’ decide she ain’ want no hard dolls no more, she want that baby. They ain’ never separate since. They look the same you know?”
Mike looked up shaking his head.
“
Yeah…just one had red hair, amber eyes and white as snow, and the other black hair, amber eyes and brown as pecan…face same, height same, big bone, strong women … an’ they love each other.”
Mike felt his heart squeezing in his chest as again he prayed.
‘Please God let my mama be alive…Please.’
Maria gazed into her husband’s eyes. “Do not forget our talk.” She reminded him, knowing what thoughts tortured his mind. They visited more graves, returning again to Royal’s, talking about this and that. Soon they were ready to get back to the plantation. Maria was starting to worry about the kids.
On the ride back, Mike noticed that Esteban began asking Jordan lots of questions about the plantation. Smiling, he listened to them talk, his son was forming an attachment to him, just as he had.
Arriving back at the barn, they noticed the corral was clean of all its horse litter and a wooden platform had been laid for a dance floor. Oil lanterns hung and lit around its circumference. Long tables were set up on both sides, filling quickly with all kinds of prepared foods. The spit was turning with chickens, a couple of young pigs and rabbits. Pig's feet, neck-bones and smoked ham-hocks were boiling over a fire while someone chopped and cleaned greens and cabbages to add in later. Mike’s old friends showed up with all kinds of perch and catfish to fry. Someone else was throwing together crawdad gumbo; others had shucked corn on the cob for boiling. Sweet potato pies, corn pone, fried okra, hush puppies, hoe cakes, pecan pies and lemon cake – all of it showing up minute by minute. There were cold grits, stiff and cut into squares with strawberry jam spooned on for the kids to snack on,
From somewhere else, jugs of elderberry wine materialized, fermented and strained apple cider, corn whiskey and a brewed concoction Jacob showed the men how to make that he called ale. Eventually Maria found the kids, who were no longer clean, and ordered them to wash up at the pond. With the help of Hope, she, Niá and Mazie, gathered clean clothes for them to wear, returning afterwards to see the men were gathered. To Maria's shock, she found Mike, loose, loaded and laughing. She stood stunned because rarely had she seen her husband drink. He had always needed to maintain absolute control when they were in the camp and would never let his men see him any other way. Now she stood taken aback.
The sounds of a guitar, banjo, fiddle and harmonica filled the air, now that night had fallen; the party was in full swing.
Children were running happily about playing, Maria’s included once again despite her warning them to stay clean. With two large oak trees positioned close to the corral, many took advantage of its limbs branching out over the corral, children and young adults made a seat for themselves to watch the festivities from up high. The white overseers and their families were there amidst the celebration adding what they could to it. The husbands introducing their wives and children, who ran with the slave children freely – enjoying this reason for a get together. Noticing how deep into his cups her husband was, Maria was unsure how this evening would turn out. He seemed happy and carefree, enjoying being the joint center of attention with Hope. Johnny Poe began teasing and telling Mike’s kids about their father and how he danced at the big party thrown for their Master Manny. How he was up on stage with Ferrus tearing up the floor.
Mike grinned and blushed…loose on his feet; not accustomed to drinking, Maria couldn’t help but laugh at his blatant winks sent her way, his body seeming to jerk as if it took his entire right side to do so. “Oh my goodness, you are going to pay for this tomorrow my husband.” She whispered, grinning to herself.
Ferrus had stepped up now, and was trying to get Mike to show his stuff again.
“
Ferrus – I tell’yah now…I might be a little soaked, but – not so’s I’m stupid enough to make a fool ov’m’self.”
“
Boy you mean t’tell me you don’ fo’got how to soft shoe? All that time I spen’ teachin’ you…you mean t’say you ain’t got it no more?”
It’s gone Ferrus…drop it on’the trail…blew away in the wind.” He laughed.
“
Come on Ferrus – show’em how i’s done…boy don’ lost his stuff.”
“
No I’ain’…I give it t’ha’!” He blurted, winking at Maria, embarrassing her as he did. The men roared with laughter, as she scolded him. “Miguel …shame on you! You disgustin-…”
“
Oh m’darlin’, don’ get mad…jus’havin’ a little fun…gimme kiss.” He puckered up smacking his lips to her. Maria didn’t find it at all funny and pushed his face away. “Stop it Miguel, that is okay, tomorrow…I will get my revenge.” She promised, narrowing her eyes. Mike looked at the men, and shivered as if afraid, and in the voice of a Mexican he told everyone, "Let me tell you, she is mean with a knife." They laughed, as she grew angrier, “Ah hell, Jordan! Looks like I’be sleepin’ wit’chu t’night!”
“
Naw sa’! I miss you boy…but not that much!” More laughter followed as the music changed it’s tempo to encourage Ferrus to sing and dance. He did a little body shuffle in time with the harmonica, his hand waving in the air to get the crowd to clapping, stomping his foot for them to follow the rhythm he set. Once he found it, he began singing a little tune he made up for Mike.
At this here plantation
We all sho’nuff know – the lord, he is comin’
An’wit him we’s gone go.
On this here plantation – we all gon’see
A day too b’comin – when we’s all’ah b’free
Fa’now we is happy, ‘cause wit’us he stan’
our Manny’s boy Mikey – he back home again.’
Wit’mo joy we look – t’our surprise
He don’ brought Hope back wit’im
wit’ ha mama’s pretty eyes
If’n that ain’ enough, t’shock us too
He brought a row o’babies – amountin’ t’five!
(Laughter and clapping followed that verse)
One time he could dance, now I’s see it don’ gone
Guess It’s gone take,
a ol’man like me – to bring it on home.
Mike laughed, drank and loosened up even more with everyone clapping and laughing, some humming in harmony following Ferrus’s lead. The drink had Mike moving and soon joined in bringing Maria close into his arms; for the first time in a long while, he felt happy and free. His sister was standing next to him, smiling, sipping a bit of brew as well, and feeling the effects of being at home with her father's people.
She turned to smile at her new found friend, Niá - now suddenly nowhere to be found. Hope searched toward Mazie, who was also looking high and low for her daughter. Hope did a quick check around her and noticed Eugene was gone as well. She smiled knowingly. She hadn’t mistaken the glances Niá couldn’t keep herself from making towards Eugene. Now they were both missing… problem was, Mazie was walking and looking, asking this one and that.
“
You seen my Niá?” All shook their heads or shrugged. “Ruth, where my Niá go?” Some suspected, but none knew for sure. Hope wasn’t certain what to do. She just hoped Niá knew what she was getting herself into.
Soon all felt the urge and joined Ferrus on the dance floor. Mike, full of the happy spirit, surprised his wife by pulling her into the swaying throng to dance with him as well. He was totally unrestrained, uninhibited in his moves as he pulled her close to him. “Miguel!” She squealed as his hands made themselves busy at her rear, his lips at her neck.
“
Oooh my chiquita, a’lil pesterin’ in’tha barn tonight? How’bout it?” He pleaded in a whisper close to her ear, with full blown lust in his eyes and dripping from his every word.
“
Boy - keep that up- numba' six gon’be did here!” Sammy called teasing. Mike looked back winking and grinning. Maria jabbed him in the ribs, speaking in rapid Spanish, every word loaded with insult. Entertaining those around, Mike was committing one foolish gesture after another, as his wife slapped at his hands, chasing him away while he danced around her…trying to get her to loosen up. Giving up on her, he turned to Hope who was standing by laughing. He grabbed her and pulled her out on the floor with him; Hope did not hesitate. They were both inebriated, happy and at home.
Hope hadn’t danced since leaving Alfredo and Anna, it felt good to do so again and it showed. Shocked, Mike stood away from her and stared. Other young women her age, and older
ones joined her in the middle and they all began to dance. Gyrating and moving to the stomping, clapping, and humming encouragement from those standing and watching.
“
Lord ha’mercy…na’ she know wha’ I’s about!” Ferrus had stopped and was looking as well. “Lordy lordy lordy…woud’yah look at this one.” Jordan gasped. Jean glanced at him and burst with laughter. “Oooh weee! Masta' Manny baby done growed up!”
Hope danced in the midst of several others, all feeling the drink…and they moved. Swaying, shimmying down, hips rotating, arms waving and flowing above their heads, in one united, rhythmic, motion. Mike was sobering up fast to see his little sister lose herself in dance. He looked for Juan, who had seen her dance this way before…so it was no surprise to him. He could only shrug from the distance at the look his Jefé cast his way.
Every one of them gathered, clapped, stomped and added a beat made to dance to, feeling the night of celebration. Maria stood stunned as well, looking from her husband to her sister-in-law. She had no idea she was such a fluid and provocative dancer, she was barely over her husband’s ability but then to see Hope that way, she could only chew her lip in worry.
Morris had just come back from town when he saw the large wagons in the stables as he was riding in his own two seat carriage, looking for Jamie or Ira both stable boys, whose job it was to unhitch his horse and bring it to the back.
Hence, his reason for being at the stables…there had been no one around at the house, near the front or anywhere else to see to him. By the cheering from outside the corral, he had good reason for knowing why. The noise caught him off guard, he couldn’t believe his ears and walked out to the corral to see such goings on that he’d not witnessed from his slaves in years.
They were drinking, eating, dancing, playing music and carousing, sights and sounds of which left him standing shocked. So many of the slaves were gathered; – so were the overseers …and opposite to where he stood, he saw his son in the distance – then smiled…no wonder they were celebrating.
Then his brows drew in a pinch… realizing something about his son had changed…he just couldn’t put his finger on what it was. He stepped further into the corral from the doorway of the stable, his gaze locked on the tall handsome image of his son. Taking in the blonde hair, the height, and the build… that was it. His son was bigger than that… the height was right, but the body mass was different. The one he looked at was indeed strong and sturdy…but that was not his Manny.
The music stopped. All dancing slowed when a quiet hush swept over the corral. All those dancing, women and men stood straight turning and looking towards the stable doors.
The crowd parted at the center… Hope among them as they backed up to opposite sides, opening a path from the stable doors, to where Mike stood at attention as the rest.
All became still.
Many eyes, wide and watching, focused from one man to the other. Jordan, Ferrus, Henry and Jacob Weston came into view, but waited to see what was about to happen before they explained themselves.
Mike’s heart hammered, his mouth had gone dry as the moment of truth had arrived. His grandfather was home, and staring right at him. He could see the aging in him. He stood inches taller than the man before him. Morris had stooped with old age, his back was not as straight, his shoulders not as broad and square as they once were…yet, considering having suffered the strokes, and his age…he still didn’t look that bad. His wrinkling wasn’t as bad as he’d seen, but his hair was white as snow and thinning. Having observed all of that, those eyes were still a vivid aqua blue, which now widened a bit as it began to dawn on him, who it was he was looking at.
The feeling of a second shockwave began passing over Morris as his mind started doing a really close scrutinizing of the man standing in clear view.
He was young, with a squared forehead, the light tan brows above deep penetrating aqua blue eyes were very much like his own. That masculine high-ridged, straight nose, baring a slight bump, an indication that it may have been broken at one time.
His thick mustache was neatly trimmed connecting to a light tan beard joining at the sideburns, framing a narrow upper lip, and fuller bottom lip. The combination of events that night, the three wagons, the slaves’ absence from their duties, the celebration, and the man before him rang the announcement loud and clear; that the man before him was his grandson, Michael Ramsey Webster.
Morris stumbled making those close to him cry out, quick to stop him falling. He steadied himself, regaining his balance, and took a deep breath. He shrugged his shoulders and elbowed those that stood close by away from him.
Silence swept prevailed, leaving only the sound of scratching crickets and other night insects. Movement caught Morris’s eyes as Hope parted from the others to go and stand beside her brother, taking his hand in hers as she stood to his right, looking at her grandfather for the first time thinking,
‘So this is Morris, our grandfather. The man who tried to find my mother and me. The same man who at one time refused to accept my brother.’