A married woman.That's what I was now, not on paper though. Slaves weren't ever given any sort of documentation unless they were counting how many we're. Many of us did not even know our birthdays, luckily my mother knew it by heart and reminded me every single year.It was an easy Sunday.I couldn't wear the dress lady Tracy made for me. It was beautiful after I wore it, Master Joshua was furious. He demanded, I go wear proper clothes. I suppose lady Tracy had overdone it. I was glad that I wasn't showing. William told me at sixteen weeks, I would be showing that's why I needed to...— earlier.After Pastor Richardson had finished the Sunday service. He asked that Elliot and I stand up and hold hands. Bible verses were read and we were officially declared married. The slaves weren't allowed to cheer or do anything. Most Masters left but except the Gallagher's and Cunningham's. Apparently to the rest of the elites, this was not important. It was a joke and a waste of time.I watched
Elliot had showed me his room at the Cunningham commune. He shared it with someone else but because today was a 'special' night; they offered to give the wedded couple space. I say this with so much bitterness but I know Elliot does not deserve this. He deserves better, he has been nothing but honest and kind to me."Are you afraid?" He asked because I was just seated stiff on his bed fiddling my hands."Yes... a tad bit.""Don't be, I will be very gentle. Although I have never been with a woman before. I'm very excited."William was right, wasn't he always?"You can remove your clothes and get in the blankets." He said. I did not understand, William always made sure I was wet first by touching my breasts, kissing me and so many other things. I removed my dress and undergarments letting them fall to the floor. I felt self conscious but I didn't seem to care much about what he thought. I was more self conscious with Will but as we did it more and more.. I thought less of it.Elliot see
Over the past few days, things were different between Elliot and I. Not exactly in a good way, he was just distant. I still stayed at the Gallagher house, no one took slave marriages seriously. That's what I had come to realize. Nothing changed in my working hours or working days. The white man did not care. It's not that I really missed my so called husband but when he was awfully quiet for too long without visiting after we had sex. It made me have loads of questions. It gave me anxiety. Were we still alright? I planned to visit him when I got the chance. I would cook him lunch and earn his love back..Will was well..very nice to me lately.—"Stop it.. Will." I giggled as William as he peppered my neck all the way down to my collarbone, up again to my lips with kisses."Please do not tell me about it." He said clearing his throat. I knew exactly what he meant. I did not want to talk about it either. I was six weeks pregnant, I was very sure because I had not had my period the firs
Sometimes we lie to ourselves... I'd like to think we do it often. It's a comforting feeling. At some point, we all want to feel as if we're in control of our lives. Sometimes you're and the rest of the time rarely. If I had known nearly four months ago that my life would turn upside down... maybe just maybe, I would have preferred to stay at the plantations sleeping with swollen feet after each hard day's work. Maybe just maybe, I would not have been ripped off my innocence. I would not have personally known the evil within men... white men... specifically William. He had this look in his eyes that scared me. He also had this look in his eyes that left me wanting. If I said, I entirely hated him then that would render me a compulsive liar. I wanted to hate him, I wanted to be able to walk past him without feeling a pang of guilt.Afraid... somewhat excited with a good amount of anger. Afraid of what people would say.. how everyone would perceive me after they find out. Elliot hating
"I….I..""I d-don't know what to do." I told my mother, she rubbed gentle circles on my back and even after that.. I still could not stop crying. Everything was falling apart. I cried more because I had absolutely no one. My mother did not count, this was the bed, I had made and I had to lie on it."Mama?" I finally raised my head. She waited for me talk.. "Did you even love father?""Honestly..." She looked as if she was in deep thought for some seconds. "Even I, do not know."I simply nodded."Do you love Elliot?" She asked.I only felt bitterness. "I could never!" I spat."I still cannot take that he verily treated you the way he did.""My life would have never been this way... if you had not accepted that I take the housekeeping job."I needed someone to blame, I needed that to comfort myself with lies.My mother did not seem triggered by what I had said. "Just remove it.""What?!""You regret it so I suppose you don't have to go through with this. Worse, that Elliot and William a
"Nase... can I tell you a secret?" Liam brought me out of my thoughts. He looked at me expectedly. I couldn't help but be in awe because I would have a child... with William and I love him. I sound gullible but the fact that I would be having a child with this man, somewhat made me happy. A child that I share with William. The child we made together, it was hard to accept at first because I only thought about the consequences but after I thought... about how beautiful it would be to bring someone into this world. I wanted to think on the bright side and the bright side was. Yes, my mother was right... I will never have William but this child is good enough for me. A reminder that he made me feel things I didn't understand and didn't want to feel... a reminder that he hurt me.We could never be."Yes?""But it's a big secret between dad, Rosy and I, so you can't tell anyone else..""I won't..." I was curious."Promise promise?""Yes." I replied."No, when I say promise promise, you say
The Gallagher man in one room is probably one place you wouldn't want to be in. Not because of Master Joshua but his children were just as shallow.In one corner sat Milton Gallagher smoking and drinking. He had an obnoxious laugh, his beard... I found very distasteful. The first born of Gallagher family. He got along with his father so well infact the two were inseparable bestfriends. With Master Joshua in his sixties and Master Milton in his forties, they just fit like hand in glove. They enjoyed making a banter out of the rest of the siblings. Their laugh made the pit of my stomach rumble with fear—The second born of the Gallagher family, Lady Rachel Gallagher was married and stayed in Winchester with her very wealthy veteran husband. Master Joshua would never approve of his children being married to the lower class. There was one fact that everyone knew... Master Joshua was hideous. Not because we hated him but he was just not a good looking man and so was his first wife. Meaning
The minute he said. "I will be off now."I thanked the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. The thought of them sleeping over did not sit well with them. I could see them, waiting for the lights to be off so they could come for me in the basement. They scared me, Master Milton wouldn't stop with his disgusting gestures, he licked his nonexistent thin lips too often when I passed by. Master Gerald was no exception. William told me to stay in the Kitchen until they left."Better make the most of this weekend. We board for Australia soon. I made sure Peters gave us the finest Cabins.." Master Joshua said excitedly. I noticed how William slumped his shoulders as his father took his cane while his brothers grabbed their coats."Father... I have a profession, I can not just up and leave..." William let out. Both his brothers burst out laughing with Master Joshua."There there my little William..." Master Joshua gave William a pat on the shoulder. "You can always play doctor when it suits yo
Dear Hector.I could have sworn yesterday, just yesterday... we were together as he helped me write to you. The thought of it all fills my eyes with tears. Thank you for the letter you sent forth of your condolences, I must apologize that I did not reply almost immediately. I thank you for all your well wishes, I know if you could... you would have been here. My apologies yet again for replying only a year and a half later. I needed time, to re-evaluate everything, my life without him; well what's left of it. I needed to calm myself as I could not believe he was really gone. The last thirty-three years have been an unforgettable journey. I've had to restart this letter many times. Each time, I write and start to reminisce tears soak in the poor sheet. My heart feels heavy with hurt, I feel alone even when surrounded by all these wonderful people who care for me. I miss him every single day, his cologne, his smile, his—everything.I can not explain my sorrow and need to be with him. M
Good morrow.First off, do you understand the awkward position you're putting me in? William is writing on my behalf. I speak, he writes. I will learn soon enough, I will get better at writing but I can not bare having a horridly amateur written letter travel all the way to France to my dearest friend. You deserve the best there is and that is my husband's rather stunning handwriting.(Ps. It's William, how are you Hector? She doesn't know I wrote this part.)William and I are expecting, that is how I bribed him into hand writing my letter for me while I sat back and simply talked. The baby could be here anytime now, perhaps a day? A week? Who knows it's nine months already... with Christian you remember how he came early. I still can not fathom that I will go through with this again? I cried like a little child during Christian's birth. I'm only hopeful that this one goes just as smoothly. Besides, the perks of having a lifelong partner who happens to be a doctor could make it somewh
Bonjour madameI'm well aware that you were not expecting this but here, I am to inform you that I'm alive living in Lyon and still as faggot as could be. (dear lord Jesus I pray this does not fall in the wrong hands). If it does, I repeat... I Hector, I'm alive, well; learnt a bit of French and as homophile as could be. You, my dear friend probably assumed I'd be quick to forget you? I'd never, we've been through so much together. The past eight years of sorrows although I must admit when we first spoke, I should not have told you to hang yourself. In my defense... I was jealous because I was not the one William Gallagher was swooning over. My, asking you to hang yourself... that was very malicious. Especially in your state of pregnancy with my godson. I truly regret and take back my words when I stumble upon that memory in my thoughts.How I miss, England... France is stupendous, the French language is just comely very difficult but how I miss being around people who actually unders
"...uh William?""Yes darlin, I'm here." He said snuggling closer and enveloping her with his large arms. She fit perfectly."Where's my mother?" She asked.This caught William off guard, he had not expected her to ask of her as soon as she woke up. He did not want her to stress over pointless issues such as Doris but being fair, Doris was her mother and she had every right to know.He knew Panashe always always took her mother back no matter what, he was very much fearful of her asking for her mother. With her expecting there was no telling whether she would be happy or fuming."I—""You did what?""I've made a decision and from here on she will reside at a different plantation..""The Cunningham ranch?" She asked, that was the only ranch that was closer to theirs. William took his time replying... "She is better off far from here.""Where?""In another city far away from us? See what she did that was unforgivable! She wanted to take her life on my mother's porch, Doris is mental and
"If you dare take a step in my father's home, Doris!""I'm coming inside be it you like it or not. That is my daughter and and—" Doris stuttered, grieving fear that her daughter could die settled in. Her face went stale with fear... desperate to see to her daughter's needs. "I love her so much, I miss her dearly. You can not possibly be as vile as to leave me here. I gave birth to her, she is my little girl and I can't bare you manipulating her into being a white mans whore."With that, William had bottled up enough. His hand had been itching to do the unthinkable. He was worried for Panashe and here again he has to continue dealing with Doris. He wondered just how long he would have to deal with her.Everything had been going well until she came with her tantrums. Panashe was doing well until her mother came like the devil she is waiting to take away her happiness."Master William, she is heating up..." One of the maids who had been at Panashe's care told him.His heart dropped, he w
As they sat on the balcony enjoying the sun that rarely ever came out in England.Panashe had made lunch, it gave her an opportunity to treat the kitchen stuff with some human decency such as giving them a break or some days off.They saw Ralph Gallagher arriving from his date, the sixteen year old seemed aflamed, a visible grin on his face. Panashe could only hope that all had went well with Sandy.Liam had wanted to prove to his half brothers that negroes were normal people just like them, in doing so... he invited Ralph and Chester to meet Panashe.It had taken weeks to get acquainted and used to each other but with Panashe being very likable and accommodating... it was easy for Ralph and Chester to see why Liam loved her and could not blabbering about his childhood memories."Teenagers are gross!" Chester said to Liam who agreed with a chuckle and a look of disgust. Christian and Addie only seemed confused as they ate their food."He will probably talk about Sandy Hemings for an h
Hugging the blankets closer to her body, she could hear the echoes of kids laughing, playing and running around the corridors of the huge Gallagher home. She assumed, she had heard Liam but knowing the situation and how he had developed some sort of abhorrence and never failed his hostility towards her.A feeling of sadness had overcame her emotions lately. As much as she had confronted her mother and felt good about it... she couldn't help but feel sad.Not for her mother or their broken relationship, not for anyone or anything. It was overwhelming to think about everything she had been through. The tragedies that she had stumbled upon, the overwhelming feeling that this was her life.Maybe she did not deserve to have all the she had? Williams love and affection? The anxious feeling of knowing someday she might lose his love and attention. Her heart and mind her told her that she was not entirely alone... she had her son and William but a feeling of a dread always sneaked in and remi
Chester Gallagher was quick to pin Liam to the ground. Ruffling his hair in a playful manner, Liam groaned. "Off me you bloody gibface.""Ohh did your mental mother teach you that one?" He chuckled, seemingly not offended.Groaning with anger, Liam grabbed a handful of Chester's hair making him wince. "Quit being a meater Liam and fight me with you fists...""No chance, hornswoggler!""Wait—" Chester said offended. "Did Ralph teach you that?""Maybe..""RALPH!!!" They both yelled.The young man entered the room only to see the two brawling at each other like animals. Reading his mail, he only turned to look the other way."Why did you teach him that?" Chester asked a tad bit hurt. "I thought I was your favorite brother—"Liam finally sat up breathing hard after having been pinned down for too long by his nearly obese half brother."Well, Liam helped me say a few kind words to Sandy... in my last letter." Ralph replied. "Look here, she replied. She even called me handsome worthy...""T
Even though seventy-two hours had passed, she could still feel the present ache of disappointment, hurt, frustration?Panashe did not know how to feel. Her tears refused to fall, she told everyone she was doing alright. She smiled but beneath it all she could feel the anger and hatred towards her mother growing and growing... William had questioned how she wanted to handle the whole situation but she told him, she would deal with it and that she did. Doris was no longer her mother, they were merely strangers and she had made that very clear on their last encounter.—"Panashe, did you see what that lover of yours did to me?" Her mother let out crocodile tears. "How can he shame me in front of all those people? Manhandle me in the presence of the people I live with..."Panashe crossed her arms allowing her mother to talk. "You only came to see me as of late? Why now? You have been distributing goodies for everyone but now you're here out of guilt?" This made Panashe let out a bitter