"No, Merri you're wrong for this." Thomas scolded me."...they're my belongings!""We share everything here, we're all family. You need to understand that, circumstances have changed and you need to adapt.""...I refuse, they had no right to do that. Those were my toiletries.""You sound entitled, having the privilege to even own toiletries." Thomas said seemingly disappointed, he shook his head. Continuing to crack the shells of his peanuts, that he seemed to be enjoying. It did not sound pleasing because I'd be the one who had to kiss someone with peanut remains left on their teeth. It was also insulting, Thomas thought I was entitled? I sounded entitled? I had left my toiletries in the hall where I was sleeping with the other women from their commune. They had invaded my privacy, used my soap and all my basics and now I had nothing left. With bookkeeping, I had the privilege of being the one to write the grocery lists and I'd always put my necessities in. Austin had never questione
Looking out the window for what seemed like the tenth time. As Austin tried to keep calm and sit down he could not keep his foot steady as it tapped on with frustration. Harriet had went to a church convention... whenever she was present she would not let him breath. She wanted and needed for him to always be with her. She seemed needy for his attention and it ticked Austin off. He constantly told himself that he needed a woman to keep him in check. The beast in him could easily unravel and he needed to be calm. He needed to have something going on for him especially with Harriet. Alone, he would go mad. As much as she was aggravating, she kept him in check from going to see Merrigold.Deciding to take a walk around the plantation something he never did. Although he'd never admit it, he hoped he would see her even if it was from afar. Just to know that she was doing alright and that she had settled in well. His mind kept replaying scenes from when they were together and alone. How had
He blinked awake in the dark, alone... afraid. He had dreamt of her yet again, it had been years since he thought of her. He could not distinguish if he loved or hated her. She had played a big part in his life, she built him up just as she destroyed him. Austin thought of her, his mother's announcement had not set well with him. Why did his brother feel the need to return after all these years? He felt nothing but anger for his parents for allowing them back into their lives... Austin felt hurt, destroyed. Simultaneously he felt some sort of excitement and mischief.—* Flashback *"Austin sweetheart?" His sixty-four year old mother stood up to give him a hug. He had not visited them in so long. His father held onto his cup of tea, nonetheless he was happy Austin had arrived announced. Austin looked at his mother, she looked fragile and sweet, like she had always been. He wondered why did the 'nice gene' pass him by. After roughly manhandling Merrigold, he had to leave. He could not
Boarding school, Austin attended boarding school far from home in a different city. It was still very much close to his brother's new home. Thirteen year old Austin had recently started secondary, he felt proud for having been accepted into the prestigious school that Joshua Gallagher had told him about. He had been told that all the Gallagher brothers went there and that William would as well. A prestigious all boys boarding school in the outskirts east England. Austin did not wish to be separated from his bestfriend, he made sure he convinced his parents to take him there although they never approved of the Gallagher's. They found Joshua Gallagher's opinion invalid but still opened up to the idea to make their son happy.With the boarding school being close to the new home his brother had recently bought with his wife. Austin would visit often on weekends or whenever his trunk had been finished off all the snacks. He would go with William at times, have dinner there, run back to the
I got a tad bit comfortable, a regret I'd always have for the rest of my miserable days. I blame myself for getting comfortable, for thinking Austin would treat me any better than an animal. For thinking maybe just maybe he liked me? He wanted me? Maybe I had the upper hand. Austin was bonkers... even worse than I had assumed. When he said he'd have me whenever he wanted to he was right. I hated everyone, I did not want to see anybody. His cologne repulsed me, I could smell it all over my body. I closed my eyes trying to blink these tears away. Tried to imagine a few months back when I was somewhat happy without knowing his existence, when my life was simple. I had always said I was strong, I would do this that in a certain situation but here I was disappointed with myself for letting it overrule me. When the situation came to life, I was powerless close to useless. He looked like someone I couldn't recognize, not that I knew him. Perhaps I never knew Austin, I thought I did but I had
"Uh... Faith... thank you!" Austin said softly, he never said thank you. It was clear he was itching for something. Faith was afraid, after what happened to Merrigold everyone else feared Austin much more. They knew what he was capable of and wanted to remain in his good books no matter what. It was all talk, Merrigold's experience had been everyone's talk and gossip."...have you seen Merrigold?""Uh no sir, I believe she does not want to see anyone as I've been told. I wanted to visit but that was all they informed me of."Austin only nodded taking a sip of his coffee. As much as he pretended to seem cooly calm and collected. Inside, he felt it. The guilt and regret, not knowing what had gotten into him. Something he had discovered in this time frame was. Merrigold meant more to him than he'd like to admit, she had made him feel multiple things none of them love. It was the first time he forgot about Stella whenever he was intimate with Merrigold. For that reason, when Stella has tr
"Do you want to maybe take a walk...?"I shook my head."Just to get some fresh air and stretch your legs."With my somber face pressed against my pillow, I shook my head."Anything you want maybe? I can surely get it for you. Even if it means Faith has to steal from the main house... the fancy white people stuff." My sister in-law joked. I only turned to look the other side."You can talk to me about anything, Merri. Anything what so ever. I know this isn't easy and it won't be easy but I'm here for you. We love you, Thomas and James love you and they will be back soon. Everything will be alright.""I-I'm f-fine." I told her, clearing my throat as I had not spoken in a while. It felt odd, my throat hurt. My tears had dried up, my lips were dry. I licked them feeling the rough patch that had mounted on from my lack of care. My nose was oily, my eyes were dull and gloomy."Oh good lord Merri you spoke, I'm so glad. I was beginning to worry. Do you want me to undo these cornrows and mak
"You're a despicable human being!" Thomas spat in Austin's face. With his hands tied behind his back, Austin could have easily taken advantage of the situation but he wouldn't stoop that low. Austin was well aware that they were already buttered up as it is. He had came to inspect at the local police station if they really deserved to be set free or not. James was a good person no matter what! Austin liked him, regardless of the little damage he had done to Austin's face. As for Thomas, Austin loathed him. He hated him so much for having what he could never have... Merrigold's heart, Merrigold's purity, Merrigold's trust. Thomas has it all. Austin wished he could leave Thomas and allow them to set James free. Austin wished Thomas death as he took his handkerchief to wipe Thomas disgusting saliva. Austin wished Thomas death, he was so overprotective of Merrigold, he did not want her with any other man. He knew it would never be him. Merrigold would never want him, not after the damage h
Hiding behind Merrigold. Hiding behind 'I love Merri.' Continuously chasing Merri to redeem him from his guilt, sins and the feelings he was developing that made him very uncomfortable. His anger was once rooted on Merri, why had she left? This was all her fault. She had led him into falling victim of this horrid unjust demonic behavior. He did not know whom he was anymore. Merrigold had been the only person in his whole entire life who shielded him from judgement. No one would ever think differently of him with Merrigold by his side as his lover. No one would ever assume he took a liking to other men. It was an unpleasant feeling that he was thoroughly ashamed of. Thomas noted, he had not always felt this way; he had not always been this way. He had never been one to look at another man twice. Never! It made him wonder were his feelings for Merrigold ever real? They were, he thought. He loved Merri not as a friend or a sister but as a lover. He enjoyed all their intimates moments tog
"Mrs Brown?" Austin called her. She was quick to squeeze his cheeks and give him kisses on both cheeks. She'd always see him as a child even though he now towered over her."I've been meaning to have a word with you.""Out with it then?" She continued to wipe the kitchen countertops."I'm sorry you had to constantly deal with me. I've come to realize, I was such a huge burden on you and my parents. It's never easy setting upright a rebellious child." Austin muttered ashamed. He could not count the many times, his parents were not aware of his location. For months or even years at a time. The trail of debts he sent their way. Austin loved the west. He loved the ignorance within America.The transatlantic slave trade was abolished first with an act of Congress on March 2, 1807, followed with a British act of Parliament on March 25. This abolishment outlawed the international slave trade, but not slavery itself. In England, the abolishment of the transatlantic slave trade only pushed for
Bad conscience over responsibility.Regardless of who was right or wrong, she felt shameful for her actions. Black people were already named barbaric uncultured swines. Her anger had pushed forth a uncaring attitude for consequences or self dignity. For someone who knew how to always hold it in when being insulted and abashed; she had clearly derailed off the road. Her whole life Merri had been called names, made to feel inferior, lesser than anything and anyone else. She was well aware, having mastered the art of ignorance to the hurtful slurs. Ignorance to the hypocritical attitudes of those who claimed to be above her. This was not new to her, it honestly wasn't but when Stella did—Merri could not hold herself.She was angry. This was the woman who had caused so much harm and refused to acknowledge any of her devious actions. This was the woman who had turnt Austin into a horrid cynical unlikable bastard. Stella has triggered Austin into hurting Merri. For many reasons, she blamed
"Please stay away from me!" Thomas the young black man who had approached him."I've done nothing wrong." Hasani added still a little flummoxed by Thomas's cold shoulder."If you're not here to work away from me, you're literally the most disgusting person I've ever came across in my whole entire life. Merri was disgusting for being with the white man but you definitely took the trophy away from her." Thomas was quick to click his tongue and he sorted the hay.Hasani felt embarrassed but nonetheless shrugged his shoulders. "Your insults do not phase me.""Will a beating do the trick?""Why are you so violent and bitter?" Hasani questioned, a little addled by the situation.Thomas rolled his eyes at him. "Out of my sight. The sight of you revolts my whole body. I will never forgive you for what you did.""What I did?"Looking around Hasani noted it was just them and the horses. Walking towards Thomas he backed him against the wooden barn wall; one hand gripping his neck the other strok
Whenever everything was going well there always had to be a dilemma waiting. Austin and Merri had so much trials and tribulations in the time they had shared and known each other. For many reasons just when it felt as though everything was going their way, something had to occur and dismiss their union.Merri slept early that night. Not really asleep but staring at her side of the lamp. She hugged herself trying to keep warm. An awful feeling of betrayal and treachery inhibited within her chest. She blinked a couple of times, standing up to check on her kids. They were sound asleep. It must have been because they had not sleep in the afternoon. Merrigold adored looking at them, they were so precious. She had no idea she would be able to love any other person on this earth and forsaken world the way she did her kids. Sometimes she had to snap herself to reality. 'I'm a mother, I'm a wife? I'm a mother? I'm really a mother?' Her life has changed so drastically. Her babies were every rea
"Oh goodness..!" He teared up. "How do I hold them? They're so delicate, small, tiny and adorable... wow Merri, they're going to grow to be such handsome lads."Blushing Merri, gave Thomas a subtle smile. "The white wool is Lennox and the blue wool is Lionel. Lennox has a birthmark on his neck, it's really helpful with telling them apart."In awe, Thomas decided against holding them. Afraid they'd fall or something. Afraid Austin and Walter would be out to get his head. He did not want any problems for himself. Instead, he stood a bit far and only bent down their cradle to play with their small fingers."How's motherhood treating you?" He questioned turning back to look at her. She looked exhausted, nonetheless happy. The smile on her face overshadowed the bags under her eyes. She had certainly put on a bit of weight. Her breasts much fuller with milk patches seeping through her clothing. Her stomach, would take a while to return to being as flat as it used to be before Austin had mad
"Grandpa was very very upset, folks always try to put me in a bitter mood but I feel so much better with you little buggers." Walter said playing with their little fingers. "Isn't it?" He tickled their little bellies. "Isn't it?" His voice became restrained and small. They seemed so attentive and both quiet in their cradle. Clearly occupied, if he got any closer they would be quick to pull his nose, they loved that. Walter sat back on his wooden cushioned chair, facing the balcony enjoying a drink, he had always been one to hide his alcohol but at this moment he did not care if anyone saw him drinking. He wasn't perfect, clearly he was sick of acting as if he was."I have every reason to be upset with that daft uncle of yours." He added taking another swig. Adjusting his stroll-hat, the little ones buoyantly wiggled their arms and feet at each other. Lionel then hit Lennox while doing so, even then the little boy didn't cry. He only wiggled harder as if to return the hit. Walter laugh
I never add songs but sure thing by Miguel would be the theme song that played on this (scene) chapter if it was a movie. anyways enjoy and stay safe x⬆️⬆️⬆️—Pride will always be the longest distance between two people. Austin was willing but Henry was not having it. A sense of bitterness sat right on the top of his chest. He would never be able to get over any of this mediocrity. He thought, he could but he was failing dismally. He had not slept that night, blankly staring at the ceiling. As if punishment, he could hear Merri and Austin giggling... God, knows what they were doing. They acted like hormonal teenagers who finally got to be with the one they had been courting for the longest time. It annoyed him to no end, did the walls have to be any thinner? Did the echoes have to be any louder? Did Austin's room have to be right next to his? Why was it so difficult to see Austin happy... his own brother. It bothered him. Perhaps because for the longest of time, he had believed wit
"Austin...""Henry..."With a few meters between them. The two brothers stared at each other with unsaid words of regret, guilt and shame. They had not talked, a good morrow, good evening, pass me the salt, have you seen mother? Is Merri here? did not count as proper conversing."So much has been happening..." Henry added, scratching the back of his head."See, Henry consider yourself very lucky. If I had not met Merri, if I had not fathered my kids, if I did not have any reason to want to be better. I would have kicked you in the nuts and aimed for your a good hit then told you to return to your ratchet wife.""Fair enough!" Henry let out a nervous laugh. Austin stared at him with distaste. He could not hide the bitter feelings he had grown for his brother over the years. This was the same man who had called the authorities on him over his innocent wife. Accused a much younger Austin of raping her. So many nauseating accusations made by his brother. One who ought to protect him and l