Princess Ces'alena (35 page)

The moment he realized that the still figure was his mother, he lost control, screaming and shouting, yanking and pulling on the chains to break free, “Mamaaaaa!! Jorda-a-an my mamaaaa – Jordan my mamaaaa – Jordan! What he do’ta my mama!!”

“Shet yo’mouth boy!!”

“Sa’ we don’t mean you no harm…but I can’t let you take that boy. I can’t… I can’t sa’…you got to believe me…Msta’ Manny come back here…find that boy gone, he gone find you sa’…an’ he gone kill ya!” Jordan warned. “Now please, set that rifle down-…”

“Jordan my mamaaaa – get my mamaaa!” He sobbed rattling and yanking his wrist until they bled.

“Goddamn you boy! I tol’ shet up now! You hear me! Now stop it!!”

Chester yelled angrily turning to Mike, raising his rifle butt in a threatening manner. It was just enough; Jordan and Henry were on him in an instant. Leon lifted Lena up into a sitting position. “Ms Lena… Ms Lena…oh God…oh God...” He sobbed. Lena could hear, but was too weak to move…she couldn’t see, but was fully aware of her surroundings. She could hear her son screaming for her. She wanted to get up, but her body was caught in a convulsion of pain.

Jordan and Henry scuffled with Chester until Jordan had possession of the rifle. “I need the keys to them chains sa’.” Jordan demanded.

“You niggers gone be sorry for this. That boy mine fair and square! You be sorry for this…you be sorry.”

“No sa’, you be the one if my masta’ get a hold of you, this ain’t nothin’.” Lena heard Jordan, knowing she was in labor, as a wave of gripping pain sent her reeling, she didn’t care…she wanted her child. “Jordan – stop – stop talking – get my son! Get my – my son!!”

Amos came over and helped Leon pick her up, he then settled under the weight of her, bringing her close to his chest to carry her, with Leon running to the wagon for Mikey. It was all activity to free him when the horses rode up into the midst of them.

“Just what in the hell is goin’ on here?!” Kevin shouted as he pulled back on the reigns of his horse, the momentum making it dance to the side attempting to harness his energy to stretch full out. James was on the other side of the road, and all froze at the sight of them.

“Well if I was to guess, I’d say these niggas is up to no good. Good thang Ms Katherine track us down when she did. Why, I do believe they was on the verge of doing harm to this here white man!” James spoke as though astounded at their audacity.

Chester snatched his arms from Henry, then his rifle from Jordan.

“Well you’re late! Do you see what the hell been done to me?! This the worse lot of darkies I ever seen…treatin’ a white man the way they done me. Handlin’ me!”

James sat his horse looking down at Lena in Amos arms. Her face swollen and beaten beyond recognition…he felt a chill. He swallowed, then look to Kevin; who saw and turned back to the others before he ordered Amos. “Get her back to her cabin…now!! For she die here!” Amos did so, afraid she would, Lena had passed out again. “Mama…mamaaaa!!” Mikey panicked and began fighting again. Jordan stood stunned, waiting for them to back what they knew was true. “Kevin sa’, you gots’t’tell this man the truth of it. Tell’em unchain Manny’s boy.”

“Listen here nigga…don’t forget who I am? Sick of all you uppity niggas. Parading ‘round like you as good as the rest of us. Get back to the plantation… now!!”

Chester approached him quickly showing the papers to him. Kevin made a big show of reading them over, when in fact, he’d never been able to read. He re-folded the paper and handed it back to Chester.

“You have a nice day sir!”

“Noooooo!! I can’t let you do this! That boy can’t be sol’!! Please now – don’t do this!!” Jordan pleaded growing desperate and angry. Chester squared his shoulders, and ordered the three on the ground up into the wagon. “Hurry up…we getting out of here!”

“Jordan! - No!” Mikey cried out. “Jordan … Get me out’ah here - Jordan!”

“This ain’t right!! It ain’t right – you know it ain’t right!!” Jordan bellowed in the center of the road…Henry stood with tears streaming and couldn’t believe what was happening.

“Jordan please don’t let him take me. Don’t let him’em take me… please — please Jordan…you gotta stop’im Jordan … you gotta!” Mikey was sobbing now, his wrist chafed raw and bleeding from his struggle with the shackles, his face red and wet from sweat, blood and tears. His nose was running from his heavy crying, his mouth spraying saliva…with his hands chained, he was unable to wipe his face. James swallowed, and looked to Kevin.

“I can’t stand by…I can’t stand by!” Jordan raged as he ran for the wagon that was now on the move; some ran for it, as the others ran to grab Kevin. Rifles cocked and trained from three directions. James knew what had to be done, but he didn’t care for doing it. “Off my wagon, or I blow the boys head off!” Chester threatened with the end of his rifle at Mike’s head. Kevin had one trained on Jordan, and James had his on Leon.

“Who prepared to die now!? Who prepared to die?!” Kevin demanded. “It’s over. Head back to the plantation…or I start to shoot! Everybody move this way, or me and James’ll take turns blowing you away!”

Mikey sobbed as the wagon pulled away; Jordan staring at him as the distance grew. “Nooooo Jordan – Jordaa-a-an – Jordan get my - Dadieee – get my daddy Jordan! Get Manny!” He screamed.

* * *

Katherine stood on the front porch watching as Kevin and James re-entered the yard, the small group of slaves in front of them. She’d been there to see Amos bring Lena back…passed out, beaten. The sight of her made even Katherine flinch and quickly look away. She ignored the outcries and screaming of the women who saw her as he met up with those waiting to see the outcome.

“Well, you was right. They practically lynch the po’ fella’. We got there just in time.”

“Good…thank you.” She responded stonily; looking off into the distance with cool indifference. “What you want us to do about Jordan, Henry and Leon. They the main ones that led the rest. Them boys need to learn they place. We on the verge of a riot I tell you. Manny allow them too much freedom, they got no respect for authority… for white folk. Somethin’ need to be done.” She looked down at them and shrugged. “You’re the overseer, do your job.” Kevin nodded a thank you, turned his horse and rode towards the slaves quarters, James reluctantly behind.

She stood a moment more, satisfied with events, she turned re-entering the mansion. Slowly, as if in a trance she walked from one room to another, taking her time to admire all she saw, planning in her head all the changes that would be made. Today was just the beginning of her taking charge. Soon, Webster Fields would be changed, and for the better she decided; smiling at some whimsical daydream. Every room she traipsed through represented some new event she imagined.
‘Oh the life we would have.’
She thought, if she and Manny could just mend their differences. So she’d lost their first child…she was still young enough to have another. Slowly she stepped through the hall with all the portraits, looking admirably at each one. Then stopped at Royal Sun. Giggling she dropped into a graceful curtsy; as if bowing before a queen.

“What the hell? What nonsense are you up to?” Morris asked, resenting having to wake and come up from the cool cellar, he’d been drinking, and fell asleep in the cellar where it was most comfortable on a day like that day, he wouldn’t have come up if it were not for the game at Hastings Manor.

Katherine stood posing …all of her genteel upbringing coming to the surface before him, as if standing for a beau at the ball.

“Changes sir…why changes finally coming to this place.”

“Changes? What changes?” He asked absently, just then Ferrus came up behind him, nervously wringing his hands, wanting a word with Morris. Katherine’s expression changed as she stared at the older black man. Morris noted and turned around. “What? Something I can do for you?”

Ferrus looked from Morris to Katherine.

“Ummm, we was looking for you masta’ Morris…earlier.” He started, looking back and forth between the two. Morris turned back to Katherine; noticing her hardened features. With brows drawn, he turned back to Ferrus.

“I was in the cellar. It’s too goddamn hot! And I’m on my way out…what is it?” Ferrus gulped… Katherine strode forward coming between them.

“You - are dismissed! I will inform him of the changes myself.”

Ferrus looked at Morris, swallowing he nodded then turned away - leaving them to stand there. With a snap of her skirt, Katherine turned to Morris, who was staring through squinted eyes waiting. “What’s going on here?”

Morris felt paralyzed…unsure of what to say. Or what to do? As strange as he felt at hearing it…he would be the first to admit, that he didn’t blame her. It was a deed that should have been done long ago. But he could never bring himself to do it and he’d promised Manny. Also, he knew the wrath he would have to face from his son. Yet now, she had done the deed.

“When?”

“A few hours ago; obviously you slept through it all. Things are back under control now.” She finished confidently. Morris stood a moment, then burst with nervous laughter. Nervous energy coursed through his body as he shook his head.
‘She sold the boy.’
His mind announced.

He continued to laugh as he passed her heading for the stairs; with his hand on the banister post, he stopped - sighing out the last of his laughter.

“Back under control, hm?”

"I’ve only done, what you lack the courage to do.” She answered from the distance; slowly approaching to pass him on her way to stand in the front open doorway.

“Maybe so…maybe so. But I can tell you this.”

She looked back at him. He stared at her a moment, though he seemed as if he didn’t care the boy was gone, something inside of him was happening since hearing it. Something in the pit of his stomach was beginning with a gradual gnawing. For ten years, that boy had run rough shod around this place getting on his nerve. All that time he resented him. Resented him, because in him, was the continuation of his history…his blood; clear for all to see. Truth was, he never really tried hard to get rid of the boy…because - he really was…so much like him. But now it was done, he was gone. Manny’s bastard… boy…was gone. Morris’s heart began pounding in fear, taking a deep breath he fought the feeling and said. “All things considered…I think when I leave here for my game…you best come with me. Sooo, you get to packing.”

Shaking his head, he slowly started up the stairs; barely pausing he answered, “Nobody here to stop’em - from
killing
you.”

Katherine stood as a whole new realization dawned, turning to look outside she wondered.
‘Would he really be so angry? As to-…’
The thought made her reach for her throat. Stiffening her spine, she thought out loud. “I shall hang about at least, until the morning. Then I will leave.” She decided; once again a hardness transformed her features. “But I will see this new child first. And not until then, will I leave.”

THAT NIGHT:

Kayleen sat by Lena’s bed, her eyes were puffed from crying. Everything had happened so fast, she still couldn’t believe it. Her Mikey was gone. Her heart ached for him; she couldn’t help wondering what was happening to him right now? Who would buy him? What horrors would he now face alone? Many spoke of rebelling, but that would bring the law in. Manny was not there to protect them; anything could happen before his return.

They were helpless, and for the first time…reality of the real world intruded upon them at Webster Fields. As horrible as it all was, many were not willing to jeopardize their own lives or family to get back the master’s son. If his authority in absence was not enough to protect a child that he’d claimed…who were they to interfere? Kayleen shook her head thinking about Manny. She dreaded his suffering once he learned that he’d lost his son. Again she jumped at the nerve shattering crack of the whip, and the scream that followed.

Her heart broke every time she heard it…squeezing the new born babe to her breast; she tried to block out the sound of Jordan, Henry and Leon being whipped…they were being used to set an example. When she’d heard…she’d gone looking for Morris a second time to stop it.

But he was no where to be found…Ferrus was locked out of the mansion…Katherine had barred them all from getting back inside. He stood now wringing out the cloth from rewetting it…then laid it back on Lena’s face, trying to bring down the swelling. Again she flinched, as Ferrus looked at her.