Love Rules (16 page)

Jesse firmed his lips and met his gaze. “I reckon so, but well…because Maggie is part black, sir. And the war just bein’ over and all, and the slaves freed, it still isn’t commonplace, and I realize that, too. Anyway, we want to get married. I done set my mind to it and won’t be talked out of it.”

The reverend firmed his lips this time and stared point blank. “How much black is she?”

“I’ve been asked that before. Does it matter? I mean why does one ask that kind of question? I mean, no one asked a white, ‘How much white are you?’ Why ask it of a Negro? They are just people, Reverend, like us. They bleed like us. They die like us.”

The reverend stared hard and long this time. “In some places, yes. In others, no. I want you to understand, Jesse, that whatever you have to tell me is strictly between you and me and not for anyone else to know. I’m your pastor, and I feel an obligation to understand your position. That’s all. Sometimes, it is important.

And I’m not sure why. I think the states are governing this kind of thing by the percentage of white they might have in them. It isn’t fair, no, but it’s fact.”

“Her mother was a mulatto and her father was a white plantation owner,”

Jesse admitted. “She's really more white than black.”

“And you want to marry her because you love her?”

“That’s right. And to make a family out of the three of us.”

“Three?”

“Yes, Maggie and I have a child; it was during the war.”

“What makes you so sure you love her?”

Jesse squirmed in the chair. “I met her during the war. Unfortunately, I had been commissioned by my commanding officer to bring her in. But, I fell in love with her first. Her innocence, her courage to try to make it without any help, without any money, or a man. Her determination not to be like her mother and live in bondage. It takes courage to break away from that on your own. Some men wouldn’t try it, let alone a young girl.”

“Yes, you are right about that. I’ve seen the same with several of the Negroes in this area. Talked down to, treated like they were animals, no respect, and yet they keep trying no matter what the obstacles. But what did you mean, commissioned to bring her in? What had she done?” The reverend’s head came up and he stood, restlessly pacing the small room.

“She was the Black Widow, a notoriously known spy for the Federals. My commanding officer ordered me to bring her in.”

Reverend Daniels put his chubby hands behind him and twiddled them as he continued to pace a bit before speaking. The preacher needed time to think the situation through. “Yet, even though you had to bring her in, you were still in love with her, after knowing who she was?”

“Yes, sir. I can’t explain it so it makes sense, but she was a young girl, barely getting by, and trying to live on her own. Struggling with it, too. What she did

wasn’t right, but she wasn’t fully aware of the consequences either. Not until I took her in. She was just a sweet kid, trying to keep a roof over her head. And until I came along, she was innocent.”

Reverend Daniels nodded. “I see. Well, it is often believed that to marry a black is to marry a descendent of Cain, and that if a child is born of this marriage that it would be inferior and mistreated by others as such. In other words, my religion as per se believes that the mark of Cain after he slew his brother was to be a black man. And that to be a black man was a condemnation from God himself. It is a theory of course, an interpretation of sorts that cannot be proven.

Not all churches believe this. I, myself, have my doubts. I feel as though God loves all his people, or he wouldn’t have put them on this earth. However, some say the apple represented sex. That would mean that God condemned sex on earth. And I do not believe that he did. For he told every animal and man to be fruitful and multiply. I believe that sex is the very reason God made woman for man.

“That being said, what I am trying to tell you is that my own church would frown upon this union. As would most of the congregation. It isn’t fair, it isn’t right, but it is the truth. Most people would frown upon it. Still, I cannot judge you, Jesse. You’ve come here, face to face to ask me honestly, and I appreciate that. However, you aren’t asking the church, you are asking me. It is my decision and my choice.”

Jesse nodded. “I figured as much. But where in the Bible does it say that God only loved white people? Or that one people should not love another? Cain went out and knew his wife. Did God condemn their marriage? Who was she? So many unanswered questions.”

“Point taken. I like you, Jesse. You know the Bible, don’t you?”

“I ought to. My mama shoved it down my throat enough.” Jesse smiled

meekly. “Beggin’ your pardon, sir.”

Reverend Daniels studied Jesse a long time. “Your mother was quite a lady, as I remember. But, don’t judge me so quickly, Jesse. I am a fair man, a God-fearing man, and you came here and said first that you love her. And for any marriage to

work, any marriage, it must have that one ingredient, no matter what. Because marriage is based upon it.”

He paused as though thinking while pacing. “Had you been a total stranger I might be tempted to refuse you. It certainly won’t make me popular. However, I knew your father and brother. I know that your mother was a God-fearin’ woman because she dragged you and your brother here every Sunday until you were old enough to balk at the idea. I know you fairly well, and I’ve never once seen or heard you say anything about a woman in your life. Unlike a lot of young men growing up today, you have not been a carouser. That speaks well of you.

“It would lay heavy on my conscience if I refused you, you being in the war and serving the southern state of Texas as I have heard you did. It is an obligation to repay you in some way. I am sure you have seen much death and much sorrow. If I refuse to marry you, what will you do?”

Jesse shrugged. “Go somewhere else and get it done, I reckon.”

The reverend nodded. “I figured as much. Now, let me get this straight. You met and fell in love with your Maggie and you have a
child
by this same woman?”

“That’s correct. I know that it would not be a popular thing for a man like you to do. I realize that Maggie and I put the wagon before the horse, so to speak. I done asked for forgiveness for that. The way I figure it, worse has been done before. If anyone knew of my intention, they might treat you unfairly because of it. But I have to ask you, nonetheless.”

Again the reverend nodded. “You are correct. Even though it is legal, at the moment, it isn't an accepted thing by most people. You realize that marrying such a woman could cause any number of problems for you?”

“It already has, but I aim to do it. I also need to write a will that states that my land, should anything happen to me, whatever I have goes to Maggie and the baby, Abby. And if anything happens to her, it goes to the baby. I’d want you to keep the paper to give to the authorities in case of my death. If we both die, then I leave it in your hands to see that Abby always has a home. I’m her blood father, and I love her more than my life.”

The reverend stopped pacing and stared a long time at Jesse. “You love her enough to die for her and the baby?”

“I do, sir!”

“Remarkable, just remarkable!” The preacher shook his head and smiled like a cherub. “Because I realize you know what you are saying, and the gravity of it, I cannot do anything but admire your courage.” The reverend nodded and went to get a cigar out of a carton he kept them in. He offered one to Jesse, but Jesse shook his head. In that moment Jesse realized how honored he should feel as the reverend rarely offered anyone one of his imported cigars.

“If I marry you, it will have to be in a private ceremony, in my chambers. No one needs to know unless there is some legal issue, right?”

“That’s right. It’s no one’s business. However, some might assume that I am living in sin,” Jesse said with a cough. “And the doc was invited, along with the Jenkins family.”

The reverend rolled his eyes. “Naturally they will assume she just lives with you, and it is to your discretion to let them know you are legally married. Since the war’s over, it would be legal. Not a popular thing to do, of course. But legal.

And for now and that’s all that matters.”

“I understand.” Jesse nodded solemnly.

“Freed slaves may marry who they please at the moment. However, I must warn you, it could change, especially the way people think down here. You could have problems, solve them, and it could start right back up. I’m sure you’ve weighed all this heavily.” There was a gleam in the reverend’s eye, and he studied Jesse for a quiet moment. “I will marry you, sir. You will bring her through the back way, on Saturday evening, and I will marry you. I ask you to come through the back, not because she is less a person, but because it will make a more peaceful day for all of us. However, I have one condition. I want to know the story behind this. Not just for my own curiosity, but for future reference should any legal problems arise, and should you come up dead.”

Jesse nodded and began telling him the whole story. The reverend smiled a time or two, frowned a time or two, and chuckled even, but his eyes were sad, too.

“Jesse, are you sure you aren’t marryin’ her out of regrets and guilt? I mean, you admitted you turned her in.”

“I’m positive. I love her, I didn’t want to turn her in, sir, but it was my duty, and she was guilty. She paid the price. Now, she’s free like the rest. But I love her, and I have since I met her. I have never loved a woman like I love Maggie.”

“And you realize of course that you, her, or even the baby could be killed before it’s all over?”

“I realize it.” Jesse nodded. “But we aren’t going to die before it’s our time, and there isn’t a thing we can do when it is our time.”

“She must be some woman. For legal purposes and to try and keep things calm, I’d like the sheriff to be your witness.” The reverend chuckled and shook hands with Jesse.

Jesse squirmed but nodded. “All right. Tucker’s a good man. I trust him.”

“Good, then bring her around to my chambers. There is a back door to the church. Come through there, and it’s the first room on the left. The sheriff and I will be waiting.”

“I appreciate you agreeing to do this. I hope I’m not putting you in harm’s way.”

“God takes care of me, Jesse, and I’ll pray he does the same for you and your…family.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Saturday at what time, sir?”

“My morning is full,” he began.

“How about six in the evening? Most folks take their dinner at that time. Less likely to be interrupted or found out.”

The reverend beamed. “Jesse, I have always found you a loner, a man that asks little of his fellow man. An honest, hard-working man. But today, I find you not only intriguing, but pretty heroic, too.”

“Thanks, I guess.” Jesse looked surprised. “But I don’t deserve any medals. I just want to do what’s right for us. Live my life happily on my own place.”

The reverend nodded and put his cigar down. “Then I’ll see you on Saturday at six in the evening.”

“See you Saturday.”

Jesse put his hat back on and left, feeling one burden off his shoulders.

“You did what?” Maggie gasped when Jesse returned that evening and she was fixing supper. “I can’t believe it. Why would you do such a thing?”

Jesse barely looked at her. “My rules, remember?”

Maggie fried the bacon that Mr. Jenkins had sent and inhaled the lovely aroma, then looked at Jesse. He hadn’t changed much in the past two and half years. He was still just as handsome, maybe more so, for he had grown muscles and widened. His hair was still a thick beautiful mass of black, combed high on his head, his eyes still a crystal blue. Every time she looked at him, she wanted him a little more, but she had learned to temper her wants. She learned it the hard way. Maggie knew most white men would never offer marriage, but Jesse insisted on it. Her heart swelled at the notion.

Maggie firmed her lips in a solid frown. “And you actually found someone who would do it?” The outrage in her voice didn’t match the beats of her heart. Her heart pounded with an excitement she couldn’t deny. She would soon be married to this man, the man she still loved more than anything on earth, except his child.

But the secret had to remain with her. Somehow, she would release him from this bond if the time came. Yet, in that moment, she felt more elated and proud than she’d ever felt before.

“Reverend Daniels. He’s a local. He’s known me and my family a long time.

Anyway, marriage between blacks and whites is legal for the time being. They call it a Reconstruction and Lincoln himself freed you. What it all means, is that he will marry us, in private of course, so we don’t cause a stir. Because like it or not, there are a lot of people who won’t care for us living together. Whether it’s in sin or not. So Saturday around six in the evening we will be married. Hope you have something to be married in,” Jesse said with quiet clarity.

“Of all the things you’ve done, this is the most stupid,” Maggie exclaimed, banging a skillet on the counter, all the while a pride building inside her that this man meant exactly what he said. It was hard to battle herself. On one hand, being

Jesse’s wife made her giddy with happiness, but on the other, the stark reality was, no one would appreciate it but them.

Jesse shrugged. “Maggie, I told you that I’d abide by your rules, but only if you abide by mine. From your own mouth you said it was just a piece of paper. So it shouldn’t make that big a matter to you.”

“It doesn’t allow you the right to touch me.”

“No, it doesn’t. I’m not in the habit of touching women who don’t want to be touched,” Jesse argued. “Until I’m invited, I’ll have to suffer living with you.”

Maggie clammed up, unable to argue the point further. She made the baby some soft scrambled eggs and bread and butter. Abby ate and smiled when Jesse let her down to play. She clapped her hands.

“She’s a good baby.”

“Takes after her mother.” Maggie chuckled.