Glaidous said, “we's don't unnastan' walk-about talk. Slow down young man foe’ us.”
Pointing to the barrow Jethro asked, “whad’’ dat’ thang’ be?”
Donovan and Timpkin had put the tools in three big green army bags. Haze had hooked a bag to a fishing rod, he was struggling to lift the bag, Haze said, “I need help.”
Timpkin helped him, Haze said, “we are going to reel this first bag over the gate when it's at your level catch it.”
Saul prepared to catch the heavy bag that Timpkin and Haze were having a hard time lifting and lowering.
When the bag was over the gate Timpkin whispered, “look out it's heavy.”
Saul caught it like it was a six-pack.
Watching, Haze said, “okay, that was embarrassing. Tim-man we need to man-up.”
Donovan had a floodlight, he looked at Timpkin and asked, “think the overseers are far enough so they won't see the light.”
“If they don't look back,” Timpkin looked at Donovan's young face, he reminded him of his son, with confidence Timpkin said, “they can't see the light. Hold it low.”
Donovan turned the flashlight on and laid it on the ground. The slaves jump back, Glaidous fell to the ground, Saul, ran towards the slave area. Their response to the light startled Donovan, who cut it off, he said in a calm voice, “it's all right, it's only a light, see,” he switched it on and off several times.”
Donovan flashed the light on the slaves and asked Lee, do you have a new person with you?”
Lee looked around for Saul and Jethro, with the aid of the flashlight Lee saw both men standing in a distance, he said, “come here Saul, Jethro.” He introduced the men, “this is Saul he was beaten a few weeks ago, mama gib’ him some of dat' med'cin' you gib’ us. Dis’ be Jethro, he be beat not long time ago.” Lee said to Saul and Jethro, “dis’ da’ man dat’s’ gonna' help us off dis' pantation.'“
Saul still a little shaky said, “where we's gonna' be a slave.”
“There are no more slaves Saul, you will be trained to work and get paid?” Donovan said with tears in his throat.”
Glaidous said, “I’s told y’all slave be ova.”
Jethro asked, “what kind of work we do?”
Glaidous asked, “what’s paid.”
Timpkin asked Glaidous, “how old are you?”
“Near bout' sixty-eight,” Glaidous responded.
“Hum, you might be able to get compensation from the government,” Timpkin said.
Glaidous asked, “whad’ dat' mean?”
Timpkin answered, “the government pays you money once a month for being your age.”
“Money? I's' git' money foe’ bein' old? Hum, what’s money?”
Haze huffing and puffing as he struggled to raise a second heavy load over the gate said, “I hate to dip into your moment of education, but will somebody help me?”
Saul said, “I's likes ta' mister but I's cain't reach it,” Saul had his arms outstretched as if he was helping Haze.
“Sorry,” Donovan said as he reached for the rod and helped Haze lift the pole over the gate. Jethro caught the bag like it was filled with feathers, he asked, “what kind of work we’s gonna do?”[RL93]
Donovan said, “whatever your heart desire.”
Glaidous asked, “what my heart gotta' do wid' it.”
Lee asked, “whad we do wid’ money.”
“Hum,” Haze mumbled.
“What are you, humming about?” Donovan asked.
“They got a whole lot of questions don't they, this is not the beginning, not even the surface, these questions are less than a drop of water in a bucket.” Haze rattled on.
Donovan looked at Haze for a moment before saying, “show them how to use the tools.”
Haze said, “first let’s get the third bag over the gate.”
This time Ben caught the bag. Haze started with a construction hat with a flashlight attached, he turned the light on then placed the hat on his head. “There are ten hats in one of those bags, grab one, turn the light on and place it on your heads.”
They put the hats on backward and no light, Haze stared at them before saying, “How'd they do that?” he said looking at Donovan, “you in deep, over your head Don-man.”
“Don't worry about me.” Donovan disputed. He took the hat off Haze's head and slowly showed them the correct way to operate and wear the hat. He said to Haze and Timpkin, “okay guys, use baby steps to teach.”
“Or, this will take all night.” Haze said with a little attitude.
“They got the hat thing didn't they!” Donovan said a little too loud and rough.
“What be wrong Mr. Bright?” Lee asked.
Donovan looked at the men, they looked sad, tired, and dejected. He talked in a softer voice, “nothing gentlemen.”
*******
While Donovan, Haze, and Timpkin were giving equipment instructions, Charles, Barbara, and Sam were in the castle arguing about the operation of the plantation.
Charles had noticed that the slaves were getting feisty, they talked back to the overseers and Sam, they had lost respect for authority, something had to be done before it got out of hand. Charles looked at his wife and said, “tell him, Barbara, since you're the one who manufactured the idea.”
She smiled at her husband, then said, “we start another plantation without gates, twice a month fill the well water with medication that will keep them lethargic but working, they will have no mental alertness only physical.”
Sam said, “they're slaves without-a-gate, why take a chance with another plantation? You already have two.”
Charles explained, “we only have one plantation and a tobacco field. I’m shutting down H.B.”
Barbara said, “so the IRS won't come snooping around here. The legitimate tobacco business has tiny shacks for the workers to live, but they come and go and take off sick too much. It’s not making enough money to compensate for the money the plantation is bringing in.”
“We don’t need another,” Sam shouted.
Charles said, “We’ve been at this for over a hundred years. It’s time to let it go.”
“So, you see Sam,” Barbara began, “you will still be in charge.”
Sam said, “I'm the plantation Massa. I want to keep Harry Brown legacy going.” Sam turned to leave[RL94].
“Wait Sam.” Charles commanded with hostility in his voice, “are you listening to me man? think lord and Massa of this plantation. We do it your way we’ll all be sent to prison for tax evasion.”
“I'll figure it out, I’m a professional accountant,” Sam said as he stormed out the room.
Charles looked at Barbara and said, “who made him boss?” He rubbed his head which messed his hair, and said, “he is too lackadaisical with his money, he boasts about being rich, he goes to Titleburk and get drunk.”
Barbara sat watching her husband grow more stressed over Sam, she stood next to Charles, kissed him on the cheek and said, “I'll alert Stevens.”
Charles affirmed, “No, I’m taking care of this one.”
Barbara reached up and finger-combed Charles hair back in place, she said, “I’m with you my darling.”[RL95]
*******
In the slave complex their equipment training was ending, Donovan asked, “do you understand how to use the tools,”
Lee answered, “yes Sir, we do.”
Donovan asked, “Lee, should we review the phone?”
“Naw' Sir. I's' got it,” Lee looked at the other slaves and said, “just thank, we learnin' feedom livin'.”
The men laughed and agreed with Lee, Glaidous said, Mr. Bright yo' wife talk right pretty.”
Jethro said, “soft like.”
While the four slaves chuckled, Haze said, “we brought you some McDonald's, I am hungry.” He got the food out his backpack.
Donovan and Timpkin took the food out theirs.
“What dat' be?” Saul asked, his mouth was watering.
“Lawd Lawd, it
smell mighty good,” Glaidous said. He rubbed his hand together and asked, “nuff’ foe’ us.”
Ben said, “I’s neva’ smell food like dis.”
Donovan, Timpkin, and Haze tried to pass the food through the gate’s bars, it didn’t work. Haze put the food in his backpack with a six-pack of sodas, he put the bag on a fishing rod and hoisted it over the gate. The slaves and Donovan's crew sat on the ground and devoured the food. Donovan purchased fifteen quarter pounders and fifteen large fries. For light, they use one of the floodlights. Breaking the silence Haze said, “it's a good thing we brought extra food.”
Glaidous moaned and chewed at the same time, “hum, hum dis' is good,” he crammed several fries in his mouth and muddled while chewing, “what dis?”
Ben answered quickly, “feedom food good.”
The only sound coming from Lee was smacking and chewing, Donovan watched him eat, then asked, “like the food Lee?”
“Mm’ hum, good” mumbled Lee with his mouth full.
Jethro looked at the cans of soda and asked, “what dis?'“
Timpkin showed them how to open the can, Saul gulped it down then cough it back up said, “dis' be stronger than wine.”
Laughing Glaidous said, “it fizzes in my mouth.” Glaidous tried to stand and stretch but fell back down, they laugh hard. Lee asked Donovan if he could keep the food in the backpack.
Donovan said, “sure. It’s yours.”
Jethro imitated Donovan, he said, “sure Lee.”
Donovan smiled, he asked, “can you get to the cabins?”
“Yes, Sir. Mr. Bright, since somethin' happened da' overseer lev' da' gate unlocked.”
“We's be waitin' out here foe’ you,” Ben said.
“Gentlemen, you don't have to say, Sir. or Mr. to me, Donovan is good enough.”
Lee, Glaidous, Ben, and Saul said in unison, “yaw Sir. Mr. Bright.”
Haze fell over laughing.
Timpkin tried to get Haze under control. “Haze pull it together.” Then he snickered.
Glaidous said, “it be hard foe’ us ta' say Mr. Doo-noo-vin. Sir. We's say Mr. Bright. Dat' be okay wid' you?”
“You don't need to call me Sir. or say Mr.?”
“Yes Sir.,” they all said in unison as they continued to eat.
Haze laughed even harder. “Give it up, Mr. Bright.”
Timpkin laughed.
When they had finished, Donovan said, “before we leave let’s clean up.” He looked at the men on the other side of the gate and asked for the paper, he looked around everything was clean. Lee had the bag filled with the remaining food, he said, “ma and Cush gonna like's dis'. Mr. Bright.”
“Mr. Bright,” Lee said, “I's' told to say, Miss. Becky Lou, she won’t’ you ta’ call her.”
Donovan said to Timpkin and Haze, “we have inside help, this woman is Mr. Brown's niece. She's the one that gave me the memoir.”
Timpkin asked, “can we trust her.”
“Yes, I believe so.” Donovan said, he looked at Lee and said, “I'll call and see where her head is.”
Glaidous asked innocently, “ain't her head on her body?”
*******
Donovan, Timpkin, and Haze returned to Timpkin’s truck. Donovan's phone rung. Theenda was calling.
Haze asked, “could that be Lee already?”
Donovan answered, “yeah baby.”
“Don't take Haze home, they ram-shacked his house looking for what, I don't know. They came over here asking for him.”
“Where is Tess?”
“She’s at the hotel.”
Haze interrupted the conversation and asked, “what about Tess?”
Donovan turned around and looked at Haze, he said, “we can't take you home. Thee said, “they're out looking for you.”
Over the phone, Theenda said, “they got dogs, Sweetie.”
Donovan said to Haze, “they got dogs,” he said to Theenda, “Baby Girl we'll figure this out, call the school in the morning tell them I might be late coming in, tell KayKay to call Timpkin's' job in the morning.” Donovan ended the call and said, “this might work out to our advantage.”
Timpkin asked, “where are we taking him?”
Donovan answered, “to an airport.” He pulled up Google and found an airport a hundred miles from MacCall.
Haze asked, “How does this work out to our advantage?”
They remained silent until they reached the side street that led to the freeway. Once on the side street, Haze asked, “what's going to happen to me?”
Timpkin said, “this is a mess, it won't be long before they're after all of us.”
Ignoring Timpkin, Donovan said, “Listen, you will be Henry Bibb.”
“Henry who?” Haze asked.
“Bibb, Henry Bibb,” Donovan answered, “Henry escaped from slavery, into Canada. In four years, he completed twelve years of school, started a business, and housing for runaways to stay and work.”
“What does that have to do with Haze?” Timpkin asked.
“Yeah, what does that have to do with me.”
“Henry got into the newspaper business, he bought three thousand acres of land, built a publishing house, and built houses for runaways.”
“That relates to me how?”
“Find housing, land, someplace for all of us to stay.”
“I have to leave my company.”
Donovan said, “and your wife only for a short time.”
Haze said, “tell Tess to sign the papers. And what about my anger management sessions.”
“Tell me more about those sessions,” Timpkin said. “What have you two been doing, and when did I miss all this?”
“They have those classes all over the country,” Donovan remarked.
Haze insisted, “tell Tess to sign the papers.”
“Your marriage cannot be as bad as mine,” Timpkin said.
“Wanna bet.” Haze said. “You’ve seen my face, I’ve had more stitches than a train track.”
Donovan said, “Haze man, you’re going to be okay.”
“Yes, I will. Maybe I'll find a lovely lady like Theenda.” Haze replied.
“She has her moments,” Donovan said laughing.
“Don-man you're enjoying yourself, at my expense,” Haze said laughing, “Thanks man for helping me.”
“No problem.”
Donovan and Timpkin dropped Haze off in the next largest town, over one hundred miles away. They gave Haze cash money, Donovan said, “I’ll send more when you send an address.”
Donovan was going to use his credit card to buy him a plane ticket. Timpkin said, “I have a Visa I bought a few weeks ago, it’s never been used.” He handed it to Donovan and said, “use this to get the ticket. Don’t use your card.”
Donovan said, “good idea,” he looked at Haze and said, don't use your credit card, they’ll find you.”
Melancholy Haze was sad and forlorn, his heart heavy, shoulders slumped, head hung low said, “thanks for your support.”
Timpkin said, “let me see your phone.”
Haze handed him the phone, Timpkin dropped it on the ground and stumped it into mini pieces.
“What you do that for?”
“They can follow you.”
Donovan said, “buy a pay as you go phone.”
Timpkin said, “take mine.” He handed Haze his phone, Donovan took it and entered his number.
Haze looked confused, Timpkin explained, “Don gave us these when we went to Mississippi. We couldn’t find you.”
Donovan said, “Tim will get the one I was going to give to you.”
Haze said, “it all worked out. Is this what people mean when they say, God is in control.”
Donovan put Haze in a headlock, rubbed the top of his head and said, “you're like a big brother.”
“Get off me man.” Haze said laughing, “you two be careful.”
“We're having the Juneteenth meeting tomorrow, that should take their minds off you for a second or two.�
��
“Call me Mr. Bibb.” Haze said as he waved goodbye. He entered the tiny airport to catch his flight.
When Timpkin and Donovan got in the car, Donovan said, “a hundred miles to home.”
“And we have no idea what's waiting for us,” Timpkin said.
“I pray God will hold back the hostility until we’re gone,” Donovan replied.
XXXIV
Theenda’s Mom
May 7, 2017
There were three black churches in Ogville, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Second Baptist, and UpRise House of Worship, KayKay was a member of that church, they had a string quartet, a harpist, a concert pianist, and a brass section. KayKay and several members considered themselves to be opera singers compared to Kathleen Battle and Luciano Pavarotti, but their untrained voices sounded more like a toad with laryngitis. [RL96]
The Juneteenth meeting was held in the City Library conference room. [RL97]Five women and four men made up the committee, Donovan and KayKay were the only ones not born a citizen of Ogville, and it showed in their dress. One of the men was wearing jeans with a white t-shirt, the other two wore jean coverall with white shirts. The women wore slacks and t-shirts with the high school name written on it. Donovan was dressed business casual, he was wearing khakis and a beige silk shirt with a bolo tie, a brown belt, and shoes. KayKay had on a royal blue silk dress and matching heels and purse. She whispered to Donovan, “the proper dress attire for a meeting of this caliber is unknown to these people.” KayKay handpicked the black citizens who owned businesses and attended church. She believed them to have class.
Donovan looked away disgusted with her comment. He was not concerned about the white citizens' response to them having a three-day festival, that highlighted Black American Culture. Sitting in a bemused indifferent attitude, Donovan listened to the small group argue about the whites not appreciating the celebration. One of the women said, “white people will not come to a Juneteenth, thing.”
Another woman said, “she’s right, whites going to come and watch us blacks do, what?”
Donovan watched their fearless leader fold to their ignorance.
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