Helen was permitted to join the other slaves on the second and fourth weekend. She walked non-stop eleven and a half miles to the adult slave area as the overseer rode horseback. Sometimes, on her way home, the trip was halted, they would rape or beat her, after which she limped the remaining miles home.
The slave’s enemy was one of their own, Helen’s husband, Bo. He protected himself from beatings, and hunger, by supplying his owner incriminating information about the slaves. In his peahen tiny brain, he assumed that he was a cut above the rest because twice in his life he had been off the plantation with Harry II. Both times in the same club where he saw, who he thought, were other slaves dressed up. One day after an outing, Bo and Harry II were on their way home, Bo asked Harry if he could get clothes like the other slaves he had seen, he especially liked the one colored man that looked more elegant than Massa Charles. That was Bo’s last time off the plantation.[RL66]
At the end of the working day, the tired overworked slaves left the tobacco field at 6:00 pm. Their stride took on the appearance of an ape locked behind bars, their heads hung down, arms loosely dangled by their side, shoulders bent towards the ground, their bodies were tired, their spirit was severely fragmented. The overseers had gone into the slave town area, wherein the bar they got two bottles of watered-down liquor.[RL67]
Just before entering the slave gate a young fourteen-year-old named, Cush, saw something sticking between the gate rods. He looked around for the overseer’s, they were not there. He ran over and snatched the item. His Dad, Lee, yelled in a loud whisper, “git back here boy!”
Cush looked at the item and yelled, “Daaad,” he stuffed his finding in his shirt and joined his dad before the overseers saw him. As the overseers left, they locked the slave gate and galloped home.
Cush and his father entered the cabin, Cush took his finding out of his shirt and laid it on the table. He said, “look, dad.”
Lee’s mom, Lillie asked, “look at what?”
Lee and Cush were standing by the table gazing down at the Essence Magazine in a confused state. Lillie was by the fireplace when she asked, “Lee, what ja’ lookin’ at?”
“I ‘don’t know maw,” Lee answered.
Cush said, “I found it, grandma, by da’ outer gate.”
“You let dat’ child go by the outer gate?” Lillie went to the table, pulled a chair out and sat down, “Massa will beat him.”
“Mama, da' overseer' didn’t see him,” Lee pushed the magazine in front of her, “look at dis.”
Even though the slaves made the candles, they received only two the first of the month, one for upstairs and the other for the first floor. On this evening Lee was burning both candles downstairs. Lee was a good-looking rugged man in his mid-thirties. Lillie was a short heavy-set woman with few wrinkles, salt and pepper hair, and a kind face. She looked at Lee then at the magazine and said, “I’s neva seed’ nonthin’ likes’ dis.” She looked at Cush and asked, “whad’ dis’ be?”
Lee grabbed the magazine and tried to take it out of the freezer bag but could not.
“Let me try dad,” Cush tried to get the magazine out, but he failed.
Lee said to Lillie, “look at da people on dis thang.”
“Who dey be, dey brown likes us,” Lillie said.
Lee had a confused expression on his face, he said, “I's' don't know mama. Look at dis' colored man, look at all des' pretty bright colors on dis' here thang. Feel da' paper. Mamma dis' be strange.” A second time he tried to get the magazine out the bag.
Cush reach for the magazine, he fiddled with the freezer bag. Lee and Lillie watched him intensely, Lillie said, “don’t rip dat strange paperboy,”
Cush looked at the little blue button on top, he asked, “what dis’ be?” He slid the button on top to one side, when the bag opened, he reached in and pulled out the magazine.
Lee took the magazine and flipped through it, he was amazed, he read the caption on the cover, “The Ob-am-man.”
Lillie got the freezer bag and asked, “what kind of name dat be?” she held up the bag and looked through it.
“Listen to dis mama, it says Prezdent Back Ob-am-man.”
“Prezdent' of what? Dat’ man be slave likes us.” Lillie said in a matter of fact tone.
“Hum,” Lee said, “He don’t look likes it.”
Looking at the picture Lillie said, “Dat’s cause’ he be a dressed-up slave.”
Cush said, “da Prezdent of Southern States be Prezdent' Nixon. Ain’t no slave be Prezdent.”
Lillie snapped, “boy hush up, you's' git' us in trouble goin' by dat’ outta’ gate.”
Lee said, “I won’t’s ta' tell uncle Glaidous,” he looked at Cush and said, “run and git' unk.”
Cush dashed out the door, Lillie yelled, “don't let the door slam...” The door slammed shut. Shaking her head, she said, “Lee you need to teach dat' boy manners fo' he come a man.”
Ignoring his mom, he said, “ma look a note on dis’ here paper.” He looked confused and asked, “whar’s git yellow paper?”
Lillie held the freezer bag up, with a puzzled look on her face asked, “what kind of paper dis’ be?” she put it up to her face and looked through it a second time, she said, “I's' see through it.” She looked at the note Lee was holding and said, “dat’ be pretty paper.
Lee said, “dis be strange mama, paper be white, not yellow.”
Lillie held the freezer bag up to her face and said, “and not see through.”
Lee said, “dis’ paper be sticky on da’ back.”
“Let me see,” Lillie said as she reached for the sticky note and handed Lee the freezer bag. He instantly put the bag up to his face and said, “I can see through it.”
Lillie read the note, then without moving her head looked up at Lee and asked, “whad’ dat’ mean.”
*******
While Lillie and Lee tried to figure out the message Donovan had written, Donovan and Theenda were cleaning the kitchen and dishes. Donovan was rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, while Theenda was cleaning the countertops, table, and stove, she said, “your mother called today, sorry I forgot to tell you.”
“What did she want?”
“Your father tried to find Paula’s birth certificate, your mother bought me a present, I'm so happy she and I don't have the usual crazy relationship, of I hate-mother-in-law-hate-daughter-in-law thing happening, know what I mean?” She laid her head on Donovan, and continued, “makes my life easier.”
Donovan chuckled when he said, “and mine. I'll call dad to see if he found anything.”
Theenda deep thought said, “uhm, Sweetie?”
“Yeah Baby Girl.”
“If there are, I mean a big if slaves are on the plantation, how many were there? That's assuming there are slaves.”
“I don't know,” Donovan answered.
“Have you told Timpkin and Haze?”
“Not yet.”
“Are you going to tell them.”
“Tonight, at a restaurant.”
“So, you're leaving here and going to eat again.”
“No, I'll have a coke or something.”
Donovan met with Timpkin Linwood and Haze Day in McDonald. Timpkin was short, muscular good-looking man in his mid-fifties. He was a manager for a government division, he wore Jeans, sports jacket, dress shirt with a tie. Haze, in his thirties, was not happy to be meeting in McDonald. He was a pretty boy know it all, with an all-American apple pie face. He owned a janitorial company that he claimed made him rich. Haze being a savvy talker, confident, and all-knowing business ethics landed him contracts with large corporations within the whole state.
Mild-mannered Timpkin was a quiet peaceful kind-a-guy, on the other hand, Haze was fiery, hot-tempered, fast pace I-ain't-got-time thirty-year-old man. Donovan was smooth as evening blues, just don't push the wrong buttons. Donovan tried to share with his friends his discovery of slaves. Haze blatantly blared out, “Don-man why we here?”
>
Donovan looking confused said, “I need to tell you something...”
Haze Day said, “naw man, why we here so late at McDonald, of all places.”[RL68]
Timpkin was wondering the same thing when he commented, “yeah, why? KayKay is going to be mad I’m out so late?”
“Listen, I have something to share with you,” Donovan took a deep breath, looked around the empty McDonald and whispered, “I found slaves, living, breathing, walking, talking, not in a play or a book, but in a nearby town.”
Timpkin looked confused, “in a book.”
“He just said,” Haze turned to Donovan and asked, “wait, what did you just say?”
“I didn't stutter,” then whispered, “I said I found, note the word, found.”
Haze checked his attitude made a U-turn and followed what Donovan was claiming. “Mm’ hum, so Don-man you found slaves, 2017, well'um, where?” Haze asked.
“Forty-five miles North West of here, a family has owned them since 1865.”
Timpkin being the only one born and raised in Ogville, defended his town, “no such place exists!” Timpkin began to get agitated said, “saying, “note the word,” proves nothing.”
Haze lost patience with Timpkin, shouted, “Shut-up Tim-man.”
The employees stopped and looked at the three men, the supervisor went over and asked, “everythang’ alright?”
Donovan said, “sorry, yes, we’re okay.” When he left, Donovan said, “Shh, quiet,” Donovan commanded, “keep it down.”
“Don't yell at me,” Timpkin whispered through clenched teeth.
“Guy’s keep your voices down. People have died,” Donovan whispered very softly. “Don’t make me regret telling you.”
Timpkin said in a loud whisper, “I don't believe that my town could do such a thing.”
“Then why don't you come with me,” Donovan suggested.
“I am not interested in hearing more of your condemnation accusation of my town committing such a hideous crime.” He stormed out.
Haze watched Timpkin leave and said, “now that was a lot of big words, he worked for the Government too long.” He tried to comfort Donovan and continued, “don't worry ‘bout him Don-man, he'll come around.”
“I don't know Haze, it was hard for me to believe.”
“You said some people died over this, so...?”
“So,’’ Donovan cut Haze off and continued, why am I telling you? Don't know.”
They sat quietly for a while, Haze broke the silence when he said, “misery loves company, I’m miserable.” He looked at Donovan and asked, “are you miserable?”
Donovan clasped his hands together, looked down at the table and said, “yea. No, I am concerned people are being made modern day slaves. I pray I’m wrong.”
“So, you should be miserable, because, in 2017, America still has slaves.” Haze said.
Donovan looked at Haze and said, “I get it, no one is free until we’re all free. Until that happens, we’re in a state, of misery.”
Haze said, “you and Tim-man throw words together better than I do. You said what I said only better.”
“As long as we’re on the same page my brother,” Donovan said.
*******
Outside Lillie's shack Cush returned with uncle Glaidous, “come on unk I's' got somethin' ta' show ya.”
“Stop pullin’ on me boy,” Glaidous said. “Iffen' you’s don’t I’s gonna tan yo' hide.”
Lillie was standing in the doorway and whispered, “Glaidous, cut that noise out, git' in here, we's got business ta' tend to.”
“What ja' talkin' bout woman? You da' one keepin' up a ruckus.”
Inside the house, Lee was still looking at the Essence, he said, “unk look at dis'. Cush close da’ doe.”
“But dad it be hot in here.”
“Boy iffen you's don't close dat' doe' you's gonna' feel hot hands on the seat of yo' britches.”
Lillie said, “then it be my turn ta' gib' ya' a lil' heat in the seat.” She said to Glaidous, “look at da book Lee gots', and look at dis' see through paper.”
Cush closed the door, then said, “I’s' find it unk by da’ outer gate.”
Glaidous looked at the cover of the Essence and asked, “who des’ pretty brown people,” he flipped through the Essence and asked, “what dis be?” He closed the book and looked at the cover again, looked at Lee and said, “what kind of slave dey’ be?”
Lee tried to pronounce the book, “Eas-send mar-ja-zine.”
Glaidous threw the book onto the floor, jumped back, and said, “you be speakin' devil talk.”
Lillie said, “read dat' pretty paper son.”
Cush picked the magazine off the floor. Lee began to read, “my name is Doo-noo-vin.”
Frighten Lillie nervously said, “let’s pray first.”
Glaidous in response, “hush-up woman, Lee read.”
“What be wrong askin’ God to help us? Yous’ say it be of da' devil,” Lillie said.
Lee began to read but Cush cut in, “dis' be exciten' ain't it dad...”
Simultaneously Lee and Glaidous yelled softly at Cush, “Boy hush.”
“I’s prayin.” Lillie began praying, “Lord-a-mercy on us po' creatures…”
Glaidous said, “woman pray to yo'self.”
Lee said, “everybody quiet please, let me read, Mr. Doo-noo-vin say,” “I am a black American.”
The three asked in unison, “a what?”
Lee stopped reading and said, “member Massa say strange people from other contree’ come ta’ America, he be one dem.” Lee showed Glaidous and Lillie the note and said, “see he spell America wrong.”, he put an n at da’ end.
Glaidous and Lillie looked closer at the note, Lillie said, “show nuff’ did.” She took the magazine and said, “look at dem coloreds, dey be from another America dat’ end wid’ n. Mr. O-bam-man be da’ Prezdent of dat’ country.”
Glaidous said, “maybe he a slave who git' out he's outer gate, he sees on da' other side of da' trees.”
Lillie did not accept Glaidous explanation, she said, “no white man gonna' let us, slaves, out, keep readin' Lee.”
Instead of reading, Lee said, “maybe he be a slave from Africa, dat's whars' our family come from years ago.”
Everyone went silent in the little cabin, the two flickering candles cast mysterious shadows on the rough wood walls. The crickets outside were loud, the crunch of someone running on the dirt road past Lee’s cabin caused them to jump back to reality.
Glaidous asked, “Why ain’t dey' in da' cabin?”
Muffled laughter from outside slipped through Lee's cabin windows, crunch from people walking on the dirt path. And then, silence saturated the outside and inside of Lillie’s cabin. Lee cleared his throat, Lillie jumped. Glaidous chuckled softly, and said, “almost jumped out yo’ seat old woman.”
“Shut-up Glaidous,” Lillie whispered.
Lee continued to read, “I would like to meet wid' you, pick a time and date, leave a note, and I will come.” Lee gasped and said, “tell me unk, he be out da gate, tell me plez,' how he do dat,' what dat' called?” Lee said too loud for Lillie.
She whispered in a soft light roar, “boy iffen you's' don't be quiet Massa will hear ya,' den we's all be in trouble.”
Glaidous hands didn’t know which direction to go as he paced back and forth, eyes rolled around, he said, “dis' cain't be, I's' won't out dis' pantation. He ain’t from another country, he be right here. I’s won’t off dis’ pantation, a ‘foe I’s die.”
Cush jumping up and down, exclaimed with joy, “what dis' mean daddy!? What dis’ mean?”
Lee quieted down and said, “I don't know son,” he looked at his mother, and asked, “what dat' called mama? when a man can git' out and walk about. What da' called?”
Glaidous stopped and stared at his baby sister with great intensity, “what dat' be call Sis?”
Lillie thought a moment before saying, “it be called, walk-about, he b
e a walk-about. Hum um, he be ah walkin' about ain't he. So's,” she said matter factually, “he be, a walk-about.”
Glaidous looked at his sister, and said, “how you know old woman.”
Lee looked at his mother as though she was the smartest human alive and said, “mama, I's' wanna' be a walk-about.”
“Me to daddy, me to,” Cush walked around the cabin and said, “likes dis, cept’ out der.”
Ignoring Cush, Lillie asked, “we's gone tell da others?”
Lee answered, “naw not yet. What iffen’ dis’ be Massa son.”
Glaidous said, “naw, dat’ boy too dumb ta’ read a book like dis.” He took the magazine from Lee.
Lillie said, “da ova seer cain’t git out, it ain’t dem.”
Cush asked, “So’s, who left it, daddy?”
Glaidous said, “I’s ain’t a knowin’ who, I’s do know we’s cain’t tell Sophie,” he looked at Lillie and continued, “I know she yo' friend and all, she cain't be trusted.”
Lee, agreed with his uncle, “unk is right mom, please don't tell aunt Sophie.”
Glaidous rejoiced a little too loud, he said, “I's' know when we’s meet da’ walk-about.”
Lee asked, “When unk?”
Easta' Sunday, three months from now,' the overseers don’t come over here on holidays.”
Lee said, “unk you right, dat’ be a good time, no body work on dat’ day, Massa like Easta, he don’t come round.”
Lillie said, “Glaidous, Lee you’s crazy, dey' be here iffen' we...”
Lee talked over her, “unk the walk-about cain't git' in da’ gate.”
Glaidous said, “we have Easta' in ta’bacco field two, it be away from da’ outer gate, close to da ovaseer cabin.”
Lee thoughtfully answered, “yeah, dat' a good spot.”
Glaidous said, “We’s gonna meet a walk-about.”
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