Crying? I had done that enough. It was of no use, it only gave me throbbing headaches... heartache. Determined? I was determined that everything would be fine.My mother and aunt Ruth had given me a pep talk that was astounding. I was allowed to feel hurt but it did not mean I should mop around every chance, I got. During the first days, I found it extremely backbreaking to work till the evening.The only slaves who worked around that time were slaves that were serving punishment for whatever reason. Mine? My mistake was thinking, my 'love story' would be somewhat different. I had to watch William and his wife every Sunday, appear together and all loving with each other. I made sure that I kept my eyes on the pastorI could feel him burning holes from afar. I wouldn't give into looking at him. If anything, I felt nothing but pity for William as for Lady Tracy, she was clearly capable of the worst and she scared me. I wouldn't want her hurting my child. If she wanted William to that ex
(Finally a third person Point of view)Tracy laid comfortably on William's chest. There was enough uncomfortable silence between them. Tracy could tell he was truly hurting, he had not been himself ever since his return. He seemed happy and excited until she broke down the news. He had plans to have a quick shower then go see her. He had many plans but none of them came to life.-Tracy heard William come in through the front door. She immediately put on a poker face. Tears cascading down her cheeks. She had made sure to ravel her own hair to look distressed."Tracy?" William said slowly trying to figure out what was going on."When were you planning on telling me that y-you—" she hiccuped. "You hurt me William and I have done nothing but love you..." she spoke softly, not faltering her facade."What are you speaking of Tracy?" William replied genuinely confused."She came and pushed me down the stairs... I-" Tracy broke into more tears. "She said you were planning to leave me for her
I always expected that I would leave and never return but I did not ever think he would leave. Abruptly just like ghastly clouds or wind passing by. By the time he had left, he had already bid the important people in his life goodbye.For weeks it had not registered that he did not want anything to do with me but after he packed up and left. I knew he was dead-set on leaving me in his past. It was only right, I left him in my past too. I gave birth blissfully with the help of my mother and aunt Ruth. I call it blissful because the blessing of having a child had me overwhelmed with joy.He was so small and beautiful. His cry made my heart falter, his little lungs exercising their capacity, breathing up and down. His tiny fingers bawled in a fist. For a long while, I had absolutely no idea if I'd be having s boy or girl, I was open to both.He blinked his eyes open and to say I was not surprised would be an understatement. What had I expected, that he would mirror me? William had strong
Dear William.My son, I write this letter to you with a heavy heart. I write this letter with tears of pain and sorrow. It torments me not knowing how you are? How your family is? Of course you send me a letter each passing year but I'm afraid that's not enough. I wish to see you in the flesh, to hold you and laugh like we used to. You will always be my little boy... M̶u̶c̶h̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶p̶a̶i̶n̶f̶u̶l̶ ̶w̶h̶e̶n̶ ̶I̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶e̶e̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶ ̶r̶u̶n̶ ̶a̶r̶o̶u̶n̶d̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ S̶i̶m̶i̶l̶a̶r̶i̶t̶i̶e̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶Everyone is here. All your sisters and half siblings. Trying to spend as much as time together with your father. He has lived his life and is almost at a point where he shall depart from the living. We all ought to be there. You as well, my son. To spend our last days together as a family like the good old days. Your father misses you to the bone even though C̶h̶r̶i̶s̶t̶i̶a̶n̶ ̶m̶a̶k̶e̶s̶ ̶h̶i̶m̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶g̶e̶t̶ ̶I want to meet your little girl, she must be big by now.
Christian spent more time sitting on his grandfather's death bed than anyone else. He knew something was wrong but he was too guileless to think of it anything as serious.In his mind, his grandpa would get better soon and they would go horse riding like he had promised. Master Joshua's eyes had sank in, his skin wrinkled and withered.Always tired and exhausted, his cough seemed to say a lot of alarms. It sounded painfully gruff and most deadly. Sometimes, he coughed out blood. Sometimes they had to pull Christian dragging kicking and crying out of the room. He never wanted to leave his grandpa. That was the only man he had ever known his whole life for as long as he could remember.Master Joshua taught him how to tie his shoes, how to use his table utensils, table manners, formal formalities. It was a hard enough job to separate Christian from his grandfather.Looking from afar, it bothered Panashe that the only person who would feel the pain and affliction of losing Master Joshua w
Watching her son sleep because she couldn't catch any. She had a lot to think about. She had not seen him in years and seeing him standing only a few meters away from her, made her feel threatened. Threatened because he would be capable of taking away her happiness and making her workload accumulate like he had before.That night it rained so heavily, so heavily she could feel the thunder threatening to break the windows. Christian hugged her even tighter, she could blink in the dark not knowing what would happen when they had to confront each other. Of all things that she felt, love was none of them.Her mother's words mattered to her, she was better off far away from him and his family. As it is she had to deal with the changes that would happen in her sons life with grandpa being no more. It was unbelievable, it felt unbelievable. She was grateful for all he had done for Christian but it would never take away the pain he had once caused during her childhood. The dreadful work her f
A lot had occurred in the span of only two consecutive days following Master Joshua. His son's George and Stephan showed up. All grown and pompous. Every single person was baffled as to why they would attend a funeral of someone who sold them off without a second thought. Someone who was ashamed of having them to the point that needed them gone."He did not sell us off, he asked a boarding school chancellor to come fetch us." Stephan explained over some tea and crumpets."Once we were settled, he often visited and told us everything would be alright and that this was for our own good." George added."I suppose those were the trips, he often made to Sheffield?" Lady Martha said with a sigh before sipping her cup of tea."Yes, Ma'am!" Stephan replied. Master Milton and Gerald only gave each other a look of disgust."... if you're here for his will then I will have you know that he had nothing to give for his mulatto bastards.." Master Milton said clicking his tongue."I must apologize f
Lord Durham and his wife were astounded by their daughter's behavior. She had almost managed to hurt herself even more. Her nose was bleeding and the constant slaps she was giving herself made everyone second her mental well-being.She continued to scratch her skin. 'Stupid stupid' is the only word she repeatedly muttered. The couple were angrier with her husband for leaving her this way. Leaving the children knowing their mother was very unwell."Mother, I quite like sex with other men." Lady Tracy continued to laugh at her mother's horrified reaction. She then continued to call herself stupid multiple times. "William has a child with a negro girl.""Tracy!!" Lord Durham, her father warned sternly."WILLIAM MADE A NEGRO GIRL PREGNANT!!" She yelled with tears. From afar, eleven year old, Liam was overhearing everything through the slightly closed door. His heart skipped a beat, some memories came back to him some clear and some very unclear. He was only five, he did not know if it act
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