"Remember James," the stranger says, his voice not nearly as hushed as daddy's. And though he hadn't directed the question towards me, seein' as he don't even know I'm here, I remember.
I remember the way James talked first, not his military talk at the end, but before that. He used to light up like a great big fire when he spoke to me about somethin', 'bout anythin'. He wasn't like me, or even like Mary, he was actually excited 'bout livin' here. And I think, when he left, he didn't want to.
He didn't like what he heard 'bout New York, but he was as good keepin' the truth as me. He told daddy he was excited, after all he was goin' to Westpoint* and daddy soaked up every word he said. I could tell, though, in his eyes that he didn't wanna go to school. He wanted to get daddy's land. He wanted to own a plantation, with that girl he liked Susan. I wanted it for him.
I remember his laugh next, how everythin' I said would make 'em crack a smile. He told me I was as witty as the best out there, even though I know I ain't. I used to love makin' him laugh. It'd fill the room and make my heart swell. I miss it. I miss him.
He was also real smart, better than daddy even. He could read all of the Holy Book, alon' with another stories that he'd often tell me. Washington Irving was his favorite. It's mine now too. He was best at arithmetic, he always said numbers made the world go 'round. I don't think so, but I never said that to his face.
I think 'bout his appearance last, cause it ain't much of importance. He looked like daddy and Mary, with dark everythin'. His eyes were like mud and his hair matched completely. I often wonder how I was even born into this family, with my light eyes and hair. But I guess mom had it.
I'm in my thoughts so hard, I don't catch what the strange man says next, but I see daddy go even paler.
"I took the slave, John. I gave 'em money, what more do you want?"
"You know what you have to give me, Thomas. And I'm runnin' outta patience."
Daddy closes his eyes then, his breaths goin' even deeper than normal.
"Corinne, you got the books yet?"
Daddy's eyes snap open, Mary's dang voice pullin' him from his world. I sneak away, grab the book, and make my way back. I promise myself I'll find out another time, though the pit in my stomach makes me think I never wanna.
I sit, all quiet, while we go over the numbers, my thoughts anywhere but on what Miss. Lizabeth tries to teach.
I remember the way James talked first, not his military talk at the end, but before that. He used to light up like a great big fire when he spoke to me about somethin', 'bout anythin'. He wasn't like me, or even like Mary, he was actually excited 'bout livin' here. And I think, when he left, he didn't want to.
He didn't like what he heard 'bout New York, but he was as good keepin' the truth as me. He told daddy he was excited, after all he was goin' to Westpoint* and daddy soaked up every word he said. I could tell, though, in his eyes that he didn't wanna go to school. He wanted to get daddy's land. He wanted to own a plantation, with that girl he liked Susan. I wanted it for him.
I remember his laugh next, how everythin' I said would make 'em crack a smile. He told me I was as witty as the best out there, even though I know I ain't. I used to love makin' him laugh. It'd fill the room and make my heart swell. I miss it. I miss him.
He was also real smart, better than daddy even. He could read all of the Holy Book, alon' with another stories that he'd often tell me. Washington Irving was his favorite. It's mine now too. He was best at arithmetic, he always said numbers made the world go 'round. I don't think so, but I never said that to his face.
I think 'bout his appearance last, cause it ain't much of importance. He looked like daddy and Mary, with dark everythin'. His eyes were like mud and his hair matched completely. I often wonder how I was even born into this family, with my light eyes and hair. But I guess mom had it.
I'm in my thoughts so hard, I don't catch what the strange man says next, but I see daddy go even paler.
"I took the slave, John. I gave 'em money, what more do you want?"
"You know what you have to give me, Thomas. And I'm runnin' outta patience."
Daddy closes his eyes then, his breaths goin' even deeper than normal.
"Corinne, you got the books yet?"
Daddy's eyes snap open, Mary's dang voice pullin' him from his world. I sneak away, grab the book, and make my way back. I promise myself I'll find out another time, though the pit in my stomach makes me think I never wanna.
I sit, all quiet, while we go over the numbers, my thoughts anywhere but on what Miss. Lizabeth tries to teach.
