I could not help but glow under his appreciation until I saw the back of Missus Delphina’s skirt whip around her ankles as she moved away from the door.
CHAPTER 2
Master’s Promise
My afternoon in the big house proved to be as backbreaking as my morning work. I dusted all the window curtains and wall hangings on the main living floor, and then swept the halls and formal stairs. Just when I thought I would pass out from fatigue, Lovie called me out back and handed me the jar of shoe blackening—a mixture of soot, sugar, syrup, molasses, and water to polish Master’s dress shoes for his trip. By the time I finished, the sun’s sketch traced the sky. Missus would be ready to retire soon, and if I wanted any semblance of harmony, her room needed to be warmed and ready. I could hear Aunt Hope humming a spiritual as I washed up in the basin on the side of the kitchen house. I scrubbed my hands with lye soap, then took the back stairs two at a time up to Missus’s bedroom. I would have bumped into Lovie in the hall if she had not held up the lantern to light my way.
“Needin’ to set up your pallet.”
“Where?”
Lovie opened the door to a little closet off the entrance of Missus Delphina’s bedroom. When my eyes adjusted, I sucked my teeth.
She rolled her eyes. “Ain’t what you use to but it what Missus want.”
The floor in the closet was narrow and short. I would have to bring my knees waist high just to fit all the way in. I longed to protest, tell Lovie that I would sleep with Mama and return before the sun came up, but I knew Lovie did not make the rules of the house. Only enforced them.
“Light the fire and turn back the bed. Once she down, go see ’bout your mama. I will cover for you, but be quick about it. Sometime she wake for water.”
I was at the hearth kindling the fire when Missus trod heavily across the floor.
“Lovie, help me undress.”
Once the flames licked up the logs, I turned back the bed linen and fluffed the pillows.
Missus tied her robe over her dressing gown, then took a seat at her vanity and dismissed me with a flick of her wrist. “Go help Hope shut down the kitchen for the night.”
I bowed my head and exited the room. Once I got through the side door, I sprang across the grass to the loom house. Mama was sitting at the kitchen table bent over her needlework. Her cheeks rose into a smile.
“Thought Missus wanted you up at the house?”
“She down for the night. Lovie sent me to see about you.” I moved in to peck her forehead, but she took hold of my face and frowned.
“I don’t like that woman’s hands on you.”
“Not as bad as it looks.”
Mama dropped her needle and walked to the back of the room to her medicine shelves. There were three rows: one for herbs and teas, the second with balms and ointments, and the bottom row held liquids, potion, wine, and whiskey. She reached for a green jar that smelled of frankincense and slathered it on my cheek. Satisfied with her work, she said, “Go on and get a bowl. Plenty stew for you here.”
We had three mismatched chairs, and I put her needlework in the basket under the high-backed chair that she favored. As I reached for two bowls, I heard the door to the loom house slide open.
I looked at Mama.
“Ruthy?”
“I’s here.” She nodded to me.
I pulled down a third bowl. Mama moved to the fire and gave the pot a stir with one hand and slipped one of her chewing sticks into her mouth to freshen her breath with the other. Then she ran her hand over her hair and pinned it in place. I did the same.
Master Jacob entered our room and seemed to take it over with his presence. Mama placed herself on the edge of the bed with her ankles crossed and waited for him to address us.
“Evening.” He smiled.
“A fine one it is,” Mama answered back. “Care for something to eat?”
“Would not mind one bit.” Master removed his jacket and I reached out my hand to take it, folding it carefully on the back of his chair. Mama kept a jug of wine for his visits on the lower back shelf. She wiped his glass with a cloth, then poured until the red liquid was half full. She served Master first and then brought our food, a stew of boiled potatoes, onions, and carrots, to the table. Once we were all seated, Master reached for our hands and prayed over the meal.
My stomach rumbled and I dropped my head into my stew. Now that Master had come to visit, I could cut my time short with Mama and stop in on Essex.
“I don’t like her being handled that way.” Mama gestured to my cheek. “Ain’t fair. Pheby a good worker.”
“I will talk to her.”
“That’s why we need to get her ways from here.” Mama swallowed. “How much longer it gon’ take?”
“Working on it, Ruthy. Pheby’s birthday is still two seasons away.”
“Wantin’ her far up north. Where her freedom matters.”
Master slurped up his stew. “Ruthy, this is delicious.” He moved the bread around in his bowl for the last drop, then pushed back his seat, satisfied. “Taking you down to Charleston with me in a few days. Make sure you tie up loose ends.”
Mama nodded her head. “But what is the plan for Delores?”
“There is a school in Massachusetts that I have been in contact with. She will be older than the other girls, but with all that Sally taught her, she will do fine.”
“A real school?” Mama showed her teeth.
“Our Pheby will have a good life. Now, you quit worrying me, gal, and bring me some more wine.”
Mama rose and did as she was told. Master reached into his pocket and held out a square piece of chocolate wrapped in shiny gold paper.
“Thanks for the song today.” He winked.
I stood and curtsied.
“Delores, get on back to the Big House now before you missed.”
I kissed Mama on the cheek and shoved the chocolate into my skirt pocket. It was not until I had started on the path to the stables that I realized I had forgotten my shawl. The wind stirred up, causing goose pimples to sprout across my arms, such that I considered roaming back. But then I remembered the one time I interrupted one of Master’s visits to the loom house and caught Mama laid across the bed with her dress up, while Master’s pants were gathered around his feet. His pale white hind parts moved back and forth, and he groaned like a wounded animal—the sound that lingered in my head for months. Mama caught me standing frozen at the top of the ladder. She made her eyes large and mouthed for me to go, so I did. When I finally returned to the loom house later that night, Mama waited with a bowl of split pea soup.
“Ain’t many choices for a slave woman. Just know everything I do is for you. I’ma die a slave. I knows that. But you, baby, you are meant to see freedom. I’s makin’ sure.”
After that night, we came up with a signal. Candle in the window meant clear to come up. No candle, keep walking.
* * *
When I reached the stables, nightfall swallowed me in darkness. I coughed three times and then Essex opened the side door and drew me in. He smelled like a mix of soap and cedar, and I pressed into his skin.
“Hey, beautiful. Thought you weren’t coming.” He kissed me until I felt warm and sticky, and I placed my hands on his chest to restore my breathing.