NINE
A flash of white bottom streaked across the yard, followed as quickly by a brown bottom. Mary’s arms were full of laundry that needed to be washed. She was walking toward the slave quarters; it was a warm spring morning. The birds were in glorious form, singing to their mates. The air fairly smelled of wildflowers, jasmine and honeysuckle. Ida brought up the rear, adding to the trio of bare bottoms that flashed by with gleeful abandon.
Drake and Victor were growing fast and keeping up with them was a chore. Ida had dubbed herself mistress of them both, at four, she was a sassy and bossy little girl. She hustled the boys around the yard like a mother hen, her energy endless. Mary smiled after them and haled Liza who was stirring the large vat of boiling clothes. The smell of lye soap stung her eyes when she reached Liza.
Joseph and Lil Gabe stayed close to their grandmother; the memory of their mother’s rape still apparent in their solemn black eyes. Lewis and Willy were off to join Drake and Victor, their raucous giggling drifted over the yard, Ida now had four boys to herd. Many of the slaves were out in the field, planting the crops for the summer. This year tobacco and indigo were to be planted in freshly turned fields. Theo and Tall Tom had decided that if and when the war ended, those would be the best cash crops besides cotton.
The children ran with boisterous abandon, through the yard and woods. Bethy sat at her cabin’s door, she had aged beyond her years with the loss of her son Ellis. Her hair had grayed and had nearly fallen out completely. Her wasted body was covered by a faded calico dress that was many sizes to big. She watched the children feverishly, as though afraid they too would be sold away as her son had been. Mary and Liza looked over at Bethy, thinking the same thing, it was a shame that the woman had nearly lost her mind with her child.
“I don’t know what it be like to lose a child, but I wish I could ease her soul.” Mary said softly. Liza grunted softly in agreement.
“It’s a terrible thing. Losing Nan and those babies nearly drove me to madness. It’s only cause of the boys that I keep sane. It sho is cause of them boys.” Liza sighed.
Mary knew that Liza still grieved for the loss of her daughter and grandchildren. Mary grieved for their loss as well. Her eyes drifted back to Bethy, and she was glad that Liza hadn’t been lost like Bethy. Bethy’s body was there, but not her mind. The only relief Bethy would have, would be on her death bed.
“I heard John and Theo talkin’ last night.” Mary said to Liza, as she took up a long paddle to stir the churning laundry. Liza grinned at Mary and told her to speak on, and not to keep her waiting. Both women laughed and Mary continued.
“When Theo had been in the army hospital, he had received a letter from his fiancé, Sarah Calhoun. The gal had cried off of the engagement and went up north to marry a wealthy merchant in Boston.”
“Faithless, but I expect that’s just as well.” Liza grunted, shaking her head.
“He was right torn up about it, sounded like he was crying when he told his daddy.” Mary said.
“Well, seems like he can’t be too broke up, looks like Patina is swellen again with child.” Liza said and laughed. Mary joined in; it was common knowledge that Theo was fatally under Patina’s spell. There were few secrets on the farm.
“I think it was more about his pride with that goose, Sarah. He doesn’t need a twit like that. Patina will keep him a crowin.” Liza said and crowed like a rooster. Both women broke out in hysterical giggles, drawing the children to them. Victor was jumping up and down wanting his mother to hold him. He was always hungry.
Mary went to the cabin to fetch some cornbread from breakfast and gave a piece to Victor and Drake. The boys sat on the porch and nibbled their treats. Mary went back to the wash tub. She smiled shaking her head. Each boy was dark and light, smelling of sweat and sweetness. Their rounded cheeks echoed their childishness, their small bodies sturdy and strong. Drake’s light hair was spiked up with sweat, his little cheeks red from running. Victor too was flushed a delicate pink. Both boys glowed with health.
Once the boys finished their snack, they both jumped up and ran off, Ida in their wake. Mary watched the children smiling. She began to pull the clothes from the boiling vat and placed them into cooling rinse water. Her face was sheened by sweat and she wiped at it. Wringing out the wet clothes, Liza and Mary then hung the clean clothing on lines strung across the yard. The breeze snapped and popped the clean laundry dry. The day wore on with the wash, it took two days to complete and then the ironing had to be done. The laundry was ironed in the back of the main house, right off the kitchen. Several of the young women spent the day ironing the sheets and clothes.
Dark Henry sat at the new table; he had built it for their growing family. He had also made more chairs to accommodate his large size. He always feared one of the chairs would splinter and he’d find himself and his dinner on the floor. He was holding Victor in his arms as he watched his wife make
