My sleep goes in and out beneath the tree. I dream, but I don't remember what of. Probably of slaves, of death and of freedom. I'm nothin' if consistent.
I wake earlier than usual, the sun beamin' right on my eyes. I wish to stay for hours more, hidin' in secret, but I know if I don't show myself soon, daddy'll get real angry. And even I can't stop daddy when he has that look in his eye.
My brain tells me to move, but my legs stay glued to the ground. Through the trees, the leaves all bright and green, the sky is blue. White tufts of clouds float on by, and I start to find pictures in their design. I see a horse in one, his head raised high and his tail flickin' wildly. I decide that he's a wild animal, wantin' to be free, though forced to be tame.
I don't go to the manor 'till I feel like I can't wait no longer. Miss. Lizabeth will tell daddy if I ain't at breakfast. And- and. My thought process breaks at the sound of sobbing, soundin' eerily like my own. For a quick second, I feel my face jus' to make sure I'm not hearin' myself.
I stop walkin', lookin' 'round for the offender. It don't sound too far away. Goin' against my brain, I turn from the direction of the manor, searchin' for the cryin' girl.
It don't take too long before I spot her, sittin' in the grass, her body shakin'. I feel my heart break a little, 'cause I had hoped that I was wrong, and the girl was someone else.
"Mary," I whisper, not darin' to let her hear me.
I know what it's like to want to be alone, and I know she hates me. I wouldn't be much comfort.
I look away from my sister, which isn't too hard to do, and take some breaths. I always knew Mary was sad 'cause of daddy, but I didn't know she was like this. I make the resolve to be nice to her from now on.
Seein' Mary cry is like seein' Cecile's wet eyes. Surprising, upsetting. It seems like everywhere ya look, someone is unhappy.
When I reach the manor Miss. Lizabeth is in a craze, glarin' at me when I eventually find her.
"Where have you been? Why do you look so untidy? Where is Mary?"
When I don't answer, tryin' to think of excuses, Miss. Lizabeth bugs her eyes and threatens a spankin'.
"I-" I stop, havin' no idea what to say. "Well uh, Mary is ill. And I was out lookin' for the doctor. He ain't around."
I wake earlier than usual, the sun beamin' right on my eyes. I wish to stay for hours more, hidin' in secret, but I know if I don't show myself soon, daddy'll get real angry. And even I can't stop daddy when he has that look in his eye.
My brain tells me to move, but my legs stay glued to the ground. Through the trees, the leaves all bright and green, the sky is blue. White tufts of clouds float on by, and I start to find pictures in their design. I see a horse in one, his head raised high and his tail flickin' wildly. I decide that he's a wild animal, wantin' to be free, though forced to be tame.
I don't go to the manor 'till I feel like I can't wait no longer. Miss. Lizabeth will tell daddy if I ain't at breakfast. And- and. My thought process breaks at the sound of sobbing, soundin' eerily like my own. For a quick second, I feel my face jus' to make sure I'm not hearin' myself.
I stop walkin', lookin' 'round for the offender. It don't sound too far away. Goin' against my brain, I turn from the direction of the manor, searchin' for the cryin' girl.
It don't take too long before I spot her, sittin' in the grass, her body shakin'. I feel my heart break a little, 'cause I had hoped that I was wrong, and the girl was someone else.
"Mary," I whisper, not darin' to let her hear me.
I know what it's like to want to be alone, and I know she hates me. I wouldn't be much comfort.
I look away from my sister, which isn't too hard to do, and take some breaths. I always knew Mary was sad 'cause of daddy, but I didn't know she was like this. I make the resolve to be nice to her from now on.
Seein' Mary cry is like seein' Cecile's wet eyes. Surprising, upsetting. It seems like everywhere ya look, someone is unhappy.
When I reach the manor Miss. Lizabeth is in a craze, glarin' at me when I eventually find her.
"Where have you been? Why do you look so untidy? Where is Mary?"
When I don't answer, tryin' to think of excuses, Miss. Lizabeth bugs her eyes and threatens a spankin'.
"I-" I stop, havin' no idea what to say. "Well uh, Mary is ill. And I was out lookin' for the doctor. He ain't around."
