Tess was sitting up in bed, Haze ran over and knocked her into a laying position, then smashed his fist into her stomach. With each hit, he said, “git out my house, git out my house.”
Tess struggled without success to escape his fists, so she fought back. She slapped and kicked like a wild woman. Haze walked away from the bed, he picked up his things and went towards the door, before leaving he said, “get out my house.”
Tess pulled herself on the side and shuffled to the bathroom. When she looked in the mirror, she realized that Haze's fist found more than her stomach, she already bruised face looked like a swollen eggplant. She whispered to herself, “One day I will get him, so help me God, this house will be mine.” She whispered to herself.
In another bedroom, Haze looked in the mirror, Tess fingernails had scratched the side of his face, his back was hurting. He turned to see his back in the mirror, his tee shirt was bloody. He slowly pulled it off, looking in the mirror the scar was a long opened wound bleeding heavily. He sat on the side of the bed and said, “I’m sick of this.”
Haze was losing too much blood and the pain was excruciating. He put on a clean shirt and drove himself to the emergency room.
XXV
After The Storm
Tess woke up the next morning in great pain. The Day's home had three bedrooms, each had an en-suite. Tess cleaned up as best she could, her chest and abdomen area were black and blue. She had a black eye, and a few gashes on her forehead where Haze used his right hand, all four fingers had rings. He had never beat her that bad, “next time he'll kill me,” she smiled at her reflection in the mirror and said, “not unless I get him first.”
She got dressed and called Theenda, no answer, she did not take time to leave a message. It was six o'clock in the morning and still dark outside, she got in her car and pulled off. One of her tires was flat. Out of fright, she drove the wobbling car six blocks destroying the rims. She called Theenda again, this time she left a hair-raising message. She knew Haze was gone; his car was not in the garage. She looked around cautiously just in case he was watching and catch her off-guard. She said as she walked quickly to the bus stop, “for him to flatten my tire he’s really mad.” She began running to the bus stop looking continuously over her shoulders.
A passenger on the bus saw a woman running and waving her arms, they alerted the driver to stop and let her on. Tess only had her phone that was in a protective cover with slots, where she kept her driver’s license, social security card, and a dollar, she had left her purse in the car. The bus ride was two dollars. Tess looked like she needed an ambulance, a passenger paid the rest of her bus fare. When Tess saw the people on the bus looking sadly at her, she put on an acting hat and overemphasized her pain. The closest stop to the hospital was six blocks away. The driver pulled to the stop, he said, “from here is a long walk.”
Tess eased off the seat like she was a little old lady, the driver said, “ma'am I'll drive you to the hospital,” he stood and said to the passengers, “if you don't want me to take her, I will let her off here.”
Tess was standing by the door bent over in abysmal fake pain. The passengers agreed the driver should take her to the hospital. “Thank you all,” Tess said feebly, she eased down on the seat and pretended to pass out. Two female passengers went to Tess to help her. One of the women pulled Tess hair off her face, she gasped in horror. The other woman said, “poor baby, she was running from him.”
The bus driver called his boss to make him aware of what was happening, while several passengers called the hospital alarming them that they were on the way. Many of the passengers went up front to see Tess freshly beaten face and the large handprints around her neck. One of the men on the bus said, “next time, he'll kill her.”
When they arrived at the hospital a few of the passengers helped her off the bus. An orderly was waiting with a wheelchair.
Tess cuts and bruises were attended to and two hours later, she was able to go home. At 10:30 am, Tess called Theenda a third time. Theenda answered. Tess asked if Theenda would meet her at the Mall, due to the desperateness in Tess' voice, Theenda agreed. It was Saturday, Donovan was out, Theenda jotted down where she was going and left.
Tess was born and raised in Oxford, Mississippi, she graduated with a degree in nursing from the University of Mississippi known as Ole Miss. Before graduation Tess sent out job applications all over the south, Ogville Hospital hired her on the spot. A few months after moving to Ogville Tess and Haze met in 2016 and began dating. Donovan, Theenda, Tess, and Haze met at an NAACP meeting in January 2017.
Theenda noticed that Haze kept pulling away from Tess, every time she touched him, he flinched. So, when Tess whispered and giggled that they were getting married, Theenda pointed out that Haze appeared to not be interested. Tess got mad and stopped talking to the Bright’s, she scooted closer towards Haze and turned her back to Theenda. Out of the corner of her eye, Theenda saw Haze pull away.
When Tess was single, she desperately wanted to get married. She pushed Theenda’s suggestion to the side and married Haze at the courthouse. Tess moved into Haze home, she loved the house, it was big and pretty.
One morning, Tess was cooking breakfast, Haze entered the kitchen sat down and said, “I’ll be in late this evening, have a lot to do at the office.”
Tess yelled, “you mean with other women.”
Haze innocently asked, “what other women?”
Tess had a plate in her hand, she threw it at him, it crashed against the wall, she picked up another and threw it, Haze jumped out the way. He said, “I paid a lot of money for those dishes.”
Tess was cooking eggs for breakfast, she threw the skillet at Haze, he jumped out the way, the skillet clipped his elbow. Haze ran out of the house without saying goodbye.
Theenda arrived at the mall, she saw Tess slumped on the bust of Harry V. Brown, she was wearing her nurses’ uniform, her hair was crumpled, her stockings were covered in runs and holes. The closer Theenda got to Tess, she noticed that her eyes were blood red, bandages were on her head, all the joy, happiness, and peace had departed from her new-found friend. Tess eye was badly swollen and bruised, and there were finger impressions around her throat. From the looks of Tess, all hope was gone.
While at the hospital, Tess heard that Haze was admitted, [RL77]she caught a cab to where she left her car and then called AAA. She lied and told them that her husband was on his way home to kill her, she had to get away, but her tires were slashed. They believed her. When the man, from AAA, saw her, he rushed to change the tire. When he left, she drove home, rubbed an emery board on her white nurses’ stockings, changed into her nurse uniform, tore the pockets, ruffled her hair, then called Theenda a third time.
Tess saw Theenda coming, she said, “thank you for coming, I-I-I need to talk, I'm so sorry for...” She broke down crying.
Theenda looked around for a place to sit, she reached out to Tess, and said, “there's a restaurant on the bottom floor.” With Tess leaning heavily against Theenda, the two women walked with a faulty dexterity to the mini mall's restaurant. Once they were seated, Theenda asked, “what happened?”
“Haze”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Tess answered, “I need a place to stay for a few hours, I need someone to listen. Please help me,” Tess cried.
Theenda “KayKay is a professional counselor, I can call her.”
“She's too stuck on herself, she won’t listen.”
“I'll listen, I'm here for you,” Theenda said mournfully.
“You may disrespect me for what I am about to share with you, I have no one to turn to.” At this point, Tess was sobbing and talking.
Theenda reached across the table, and asked, “what could be this bad.” She looked around and saw that other people were staring at them, a waiter walked over and asked Theenda, “is everything okay?”
“Please bring her a cup of mint tea.” The waiter left.
Tess pulled herself toge
ther and said, “Thee, a few hours ago I had an abortion, I know it's a bad thing, but-but I had a reason to-to...”
Theenda smiled to herself and remembered only a few days ago she had made the same confession to Donovan. She said, “girl do I have a story to tell you after you drink your tea let’s go to my house, you can rest there.”
“Thanks, Thee, you're a true friend.”
Theenda studied Tess bruised swollen face, raggedy uncombed hair, her wrinkled uniform, she asked, “is the abortion the reason for the bruises?”
Tess looked into Theenda's eyes, she saw compassion and concern, she lowered her eyes, shook her head and answered, “no, the bruises are the reason for the abortion.”
*******
Three o’clock two employees of Haze picked him up at the hospital. One drove his car to the job, the other drove Haze. The man driving Haze said, “boss, you need to go home and rest.” He pulled out the hospital parking lot, and continued, “Sir, you're not a violent man, she will kill you. Then what will your employees do?”
Haze said, “I’m working on it.” He’ looked at the man and continued, “I’m staying at a hotel tonight.”
The driver said, “I hate to say this boss, but you need to man up.”
Haze said, “I saw enough fighting between my parents, I was and still is determined to be a lover and not a fighter. I am done with her.”
“Good.” The man said, “it just ain't right you come to work looking like you lost a boxing match.”
Haze laughed and said, “thank you for your concern.” He sat thinking, pulled the visor down, looked in the mirror and said, “you’re right, I’m losing the battle of peace to chaos.”
The driver said, “in one month, that woman brought you down low.” He looked at Haze and said, “you can ask me.”
Confused Haze asked, “What are you talking about? Ask you what?”
The driver said, “yes, I know a good lawyer.”
Laughing, Haze said, “good answer.”
*******
On the plantation Harry II, was in the slave’s area causing trouble, he had the overseers to grab Saul and physically yank him out the tobacco field and tie him to the whipping tree. Saul was going to be used as an example of what the slaves would receive if their work was not as superior as their neighboring plantations. Saul said, “you’s choose me cause’ I’s cain’t tell any bad on da’ slaves, dey ain’t doin’ nonthin,’ I’s ain’t Bo, he make up thangs.”
Harry’s face got beat red. Saul continued, “iffen you’s wanna’ beat me,” he pushed the overseers away and went to the whipping tree and finished by saying, “do whad’ you’s gotta’ do.”
The overseers tied his hands to the tree branches.
Saul received his beating while Bo proudly stood guard holding a long stick, to keep the slaves from trying to save Saul. He used the stick to pock at them on intervals. Lee was in the group, sadly he asked, “Bo, why you doin’ dis? You be one us.”
Words seethe through Bo's teeth, “git' back to work or you'll be next.” The slaves returned to the fields, but they looked at Bo and the overseers with intense hate. After the beating Saul was left alone and hanging from the tree by his wrist. That evening Lee and Ben returned to the whipping tree for Saul, together the two men untied the ropes off Saul's hands and feet. Lee told Ben, “mama be waitin' at Saul's place, “she got somethin' ta' gib' him.
Ben asked, “thank we should tell Saul bout feedom?”
“Yeah, let’s do dat.” Lee replied.
Saul had fainted, so Lee and Ben carried him to his shack. When they reached Saul's place, several slaves were standing outside complaining about the many beatings that had taken place since Harry moved in with their Massa. One of the male slaves yelled out when he saw Lee and Ben walking towards the group, “dis' gots' ta' stop, since Massa Harry come lib' wid he's maw and paw, he be da' devil foe’ us.”
One of the women spoke up and said, “it be like he tryin' ta’ kill us.”
Lee and Ben said nothing, they walked past the crowd and entered Saul's shack where Lillie had prepared, tea.
Lee said to his mom, “what's dey' won’t’s me ta' do bout' Massa.”
One of the female slaves entered Saul's shack, and said, “I's' help you Miss. Lillie, what ja' need me ta' do.”
“Lee and Ben gonna' hold Saul up in dis' chair so's I's' gib' him dis' tea I's made.” She held the spoon up to Saul's lips, and said, “swallow dis Saul.” Then she looked at the woman and said, “make a pallet on da flo' he cain't make it up dem' steps ta’night.”
The slave woman looked at Lillie and said as she made the pallet, “Miss. Lillie somethin' gots ta' be done bout young Massa Brown, us slaves ain’t gonna' work iffen thangs' don't git’ better round here.”
Lee looked at the woman, “you's' thank' dat'll make thangs better foe’ you, foe’ us?”
We's gotta' do somethin,” the slave woman rebuttal.
Saul shook his head no as he said, “no we cain't stop workin,' that will make Massa, moe angry.”
Lillie said to Saul, “I knew dis' tea would work.”
In a corner of the room, Lillie was washing out the spoon and dishes wishing the crazy chatty woman would leave, so they could talk about Donovan. Lee and Ben gently laid Saul on the pallet, Lillie said, “I's can stay wid' Saul.”
Lee said, “naw, go on home, I's take care of Saul.”
Bo and a man gathered in Saul's shack insisting they all agree to stop working. Lee noticed that Bo was the ringleader of the bunch, Bo also whipped an alluring smile on the woman that was doing so much talking.
Lee said, “I's' cain't stop workin,' it be a few weeks ago dat' I git' a beatin,' dat' be painful. No I's' cain't stop workin.”
Lillie also caught the look between the slave woman and Bo, she said, “der' be a sick man in here, y’all git' out of here now!” She walked toward them fanning her hands for them to leave. She got behind the slave woman and push her towards the door.
The slave woman said, “Miss. Lillie I's' stay wid you.”
Irritated Lillie said, “naw' missy, you's' go home git' plenty rest foe’ ta' morrow.”
“Iffen you's' don't need my help, I's' be goin,” said the slave woman, with great annoyance as she left.
When the woman, Bo and his crew was gone, Lillie said to Lee and Ben, “somethin' not right.”
“Bo tryin’ ta’ start somethin’, I’s not sure why.” Lee said.
Jethro said, “he ain’t neva’ had people wid’ him.”
Glaidous walked into Saul's shack and said, “did y’all hear da' news?”
“What news?” Lillie asked.
“Young Massa Brown says he's gonna' kill off us old'um' and keep the young’uns.”
Lee ask his uncle, “dat’s whad’ young Massa say, whad’ Massa say?”
“We don't know yet,” Glaidous commented as he scratched his head. He looked around at his sister, and said, “maybe we's find out soon.”
“Maybe dat’s the reason Bo tryin’ ta start trouble.”
“Happy Easta wid’ da’ walk-about, gone,” Lillie cried.
“Naw mama, I’s see to it we meet dis’ walk-about.”
Ben whispered, “maybe dis' time next year we be free.”
“Whad’ y’all talkin bout, Jethro asked.
“I’s hope dis’ here year we’s’fee.” Glaidous responded.
“Me too.” Lillie agreed.
They told Jethro about the walk-about and how they were going to meet him on Easter Sunday, and the magazine. Lee commented, “I feel that Bo is working with young Massa Harry.”
“If Doo-noo-vin don't help us quick,” Glaidous said as he pointed to Ben but looked at Lee, “y’all life will be livin' hell, Lillie and me be dead.”
“Whad ja' thank' bout' dat' woman dat talk too much?” Ben asked.
Lee responded, “she be on Bo’s side, they be just like us, slave.”
“I agree Lee,” Glaidous said, “after all dis' b
e ova' and young Massa be da' boss, he won't need Bo.”
Lee began to pace, he stopped and said, “unk I's thank the plan is to kill us all in the adult area and keep the chil’ren.”
“He won't's ta' rule da’ chil'ren,” Ben uttered.
“Save us Mr. Doo-noo-vin,” Lee and his uncle murmured together.
XXVI
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
February 16, 2017[RL78][SL79]
It was a stormy Thursday night, Donovan, Haze, and Timpkin were at the NAACP meeting that was being held in one of the High School’s classrooms. Due to the rain, only a handful of people had attended. The Committee Head said, “we didn't get much done this evening, most of our members had other things to do or they are at home, the main speaker's flight was delayed. They had a snow storm up norf,' so we're ending the meeting.”
As the speaker continued to speak Donovan's mind trailed off into the distance of the plantation, he wondered if the people at the meeting knew about the plantation. Outside the winds howled like a pack of wolves, big drops of rain pulsated against the windows, heavy thick clouds sailed past the silvery moon. Inside the school was warm and dry; the secretary was about to close the meeting when Donovan stood and asked if he may say a word.[RL80]
The secretary said, “Mr. Bright would like to have a moment of our time.” She motioned for him to come down front.
One of the NAACP members, mumbled, “I gotta' go, the rain is pouring down out there.”
Donovan said, “I only need a quick second of your time,” he looked around and everyone was waiting for him to continue, he said, “a few weeks ago I visited a plantation...”
Before he could say another word a flurry of mumbles filled the room as people began to leave. Donovan tried to continue, “if you would let me finish you will know exactly what I'm going to say.”
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