Virginia’s mouth dropped open with a, “Ach!”
Bonita pat her arm, “It’s all right, she wasn’t gone do nothin’ but pray for you anyway, all that work you done did on that head.”
Mrs. Palmer snatched up her purse, and to show that Bonita something, dug into it and pulled out a whole dollar bill laying it on the table with a huff as if she’d just proved her wrong.
“Oh my, a whole dollar!” Bonita went on sarcastically.
“It’s better than greens!” Mrs. Palmer defended, and turning to Virginia, “I’m gone pray for you, pray real hard - listening to these two! CHARLEMAGNE - let’s go!”
Waiting an appropriate length of time for Mrs. Palmer and her drooping unhappy daughter to climb on their carriage and head out, the three turned to each other and burst into laughter. Shaking her head, Virginia picked up the dollar waving it before them, “Oh well, it’ll pay something, I thank you for that, I’m not gonna complain.” She smiled tucking it into her purse. “Ya’ll too much - I can’t have the reverend mad at me.”
“Hmph, the way he look at you - being mad at’cha the last thang on his mind.” Rose grinned, winking at Bonita.
“Em hm,” Bonita agreed, “He got the devil’s own, hell-heat-hots for you Virginia Piercey.”
“Lord, don’t remind me. Why you think I do her and her girl’s hair for free? Made her a dress for this Sunday too.”
“Are you crazy? Wait, you ain’t - you know, with the reverend have you?” Rose stammered.
“You think I’m crazy? Of course not.” Virginia shivered at the thought, “I just take care of her - because - well, I don’t want her thinkin’ I have.”
“Virginia Piercey, you make her pay! They can afford it - believe me, that money tray goes around, and around.” Bonita griped.
After checking on the kids, Rose was fixing them a plate of food to eat on the porch, it was a wonderful day for December, comfortable cool, “Virg I know you do the best you can for us, but you gone have to start puttin’ yo’ needs first. Lord knows, if we could pay you, we would. Time for you to start going where the money is honey-chile.”
Bonita was nodding in agreement, helping by dishing out sweet potatoes, greens, pieces of chicken and corn bread, “Which leads us back to what we was saying before Miss Holy started calling for the Lord.” Bonita went on. She and Virginia favored each other in features, so much so there were whispers they might be related - as in maybe Virginia’s father had been around hanging his hat there. Difference was, Bonita was extra skinny. No figure to mention, no boobs, no behind, skinny legs and arms and slightly drawn features. She would be a looker herself if she wasn’t so bony, and it wasn’t like she didn’t eat. She was eating all the time. So much so she got on Rose’s nerves, who swore she gained weight if she sniffed peach cobbler while it baked in the oven. Truth was, peach cobbler was her weakness - if she made one, she had to make sure there were enough mouths around to serve most of it to - otherwise, she would devour it, no matter how much there was of it left.
“I don’t know… not sure what I’m gone do.” Virginia went on to speak her mind.
“Listen here girl!” Rose spoke up coming in from taking the kids food to eat, “You foolin’ with fire. You bes’ hurry up and get you one of these white men - one with money.”
“You bes’ listen, she right. If he ain’t got no money, why bother? A sugah daddy ain’t no good if he ain’t got no treats.”
Taking her turn, Rose added, “I’m tellin’ you they gettin’ restless, won’t be long ‘fore they be comin’ in here on you. Know you don’t want that. Time t’get one - want one or not, or else time to pack up and go. An’ you ain’ goin’ nowhere.” Rose was sure of that.
“So you know what you have to do.” Bonita finished.
A collective chill passed between the three, spurring Rose to continue, “Don’t wait Virg. Don’t wait - pick one now. One that’ll take care of you real good, protect you - see after your girls too. Ain’ nobody’ll blame you. It’s the way it is - especially for us, if we look like you.”
Bonita had a plate of food before her, she wasn’t waiting to eat. “Ya’ll better eat while it’s hot.”
Rose grabbed a bowl for a little bit, while Virginia cleaned the table of hair products and implements. “I - I kind’ah, have someone in min’ already. He - brought me home the other night.”
The fork dropped into Bonita’s plate, both women sounded like owls, hooting at the same time, “Who?!”
Virginia responded slow and careful, starting with, “He’s… well, a bit younger than me.” She teased out.
“Younger is good, easier to hook’em, make’im worship the ground you walk on you do it right.” Rose approved.
“So come on, who?” Bonita pushed, growing impatient with the mystery.
Before Virginia could answer, Josephine ran to the door, “Somebody comin’ up the way mama.”
“You all bring your food and come in the house, all of you, come in!” Virginia and Rose stood at the door rushing the kids inside. Just because it was daylight, didn’t mean they didn’t have to be cautious sometimes. Besides, a motor vehicle meant somebody white with money. That required extra attention, bringing the children indoors so nothing could be said to irritate or offend. White people didn’t really care for black children unless they had a use for them. Otherwise, they didn’t wanna see them. Bonita had long since come to her feet, putting the plate of food aside.
“You want us to stay, or go?” Rose worried.
“Uhhh, well-…”
“Hmmm, could be you been chosen, it’s them McPherson's.” Bonita reported, standing, peering out the window at the long curving drive.
Virginia immediately turned back to watch the large vehicle coming down her drive. She wasn’t so afraid anymore. Upon clear realization that it was indeed them, her stomach relaxed at the same time it tensed again. It was Jacob. He was driving and his parents with him. She turned to Bonita, “Would you mine’ taking my girls, I’ll come get’em later.”
“We gone have to talk later. Finish what you started.”
Virginia smiled, nodded and gave her attention to getting her friend’s and the kid’s coats. Bonita had to ask before she left, “Come on tell us ‘fore we go, he the McPherson?” She whispered trying to get a clarification. Virginia looked her in the eyes and gave the slightest of nods - making Bonita’s and Rose’s eyes widen until they almost bulged. Rushing on, she silently lipped, “We’ah talk later.”
The children started loading onto the wagon as Jacob’s 1924 Chevrolet pulled up parking in front of the porch. Before stepping off of it on the way to the wagon, both women, Rose and Bonita spoke to the McPherson’s, making sure to compliment the lady smiling their way. “Hey Ms. Lida Bell, we just love your hair - my goodness, we know you got’em all green wit’ envy.” Rose poured her syrup at the wagon.
Lida Bell grinned back, more than pleased, patting her hair after her men handed her from the backseat of her son’s car. “When you got the best hairdresser in South Carolina, heck, in the south period - there are bound to be some jealous.” She was happy to announce.
“Yes ma’am - and we know you leave’em green comin’ and goin’.” Bonita added, climbing onto the wagon next. It was hers, so she was reaching for the reigns. “Ya’ll sit down back there now. See you later Virg.” She called back, snapping the reigns. The children and Rose waved goodbye, making sure to include the McPherson's.
Looking lovely, feminine and desirable, Virginia stood with her arms crossed trying to relax. She stood seeing her friends and daughters off, remembering to wave and then back to greet the McPherson’s.
“My-my how nice, how can I help you all?” She asked. From where she stood, she could see and feel Jacob’s eyes on her, flanked as he was by his parents. Something made her glance at his father, noting that his eyes were narrowed a bit, as if closely inspecting her. As for Ms. Lida Bell, she had a smile that could light up an underground coal mine. ‘Clothes
’, Virginia thought, ‘she’s here for more clothes.’
“Virginia Ruth Piercey, it’s how we can help you! My heads just buzzing and I do believe, you are gonna love the reason why! Just this morning, I had the most wonderful idea pop right into my head.”
Virginia smiled, at times she really liked Lida Bell. In truth, as far as she could see, what was there not to like. She was pretty as can be, a red-head with twinkling brown eyes, plump, full rosy red lips and a toothy bright white smile. She was free and eager to pay her as well compliment. As for GM, he wore a black fedora, long black wool tweed coat over a short-sleeve, button up white shirt and gray polyester-cotton slacks and two toned black and white, leather oxfords - spit shinned and gleaming. When most saw him, he would be stepping out of his Cadillac, not his son’s Chevrolet. The word around was that a man as good looking as he was, could not possibly be faithful to his wife. Yet, none of the attractive women in the area, black or white, claimed to know him. No doubt, that was partly the reason why Lida Bell’s joy and happiness was so exuberant. She was certain that she, and she alone held his heart monogamously.
As for Jacob, he deliberately hung back, to be unobserved by his parents. His eyes, his attention honed in on the lone slender, shapely black woman wearing a cream linen smock over her floral lilac and heather dress to protect it. Her brown hair was finger waved to perfection. Smooth, shiny and neat it hung just below her jaw, above her shoulders. Enough body to frame her captivating features.
He wanted her.
He wanted to protect her.
He wanted to make her dreams come true.
With his father in on it, Jacob had every intention of seeing it to fulfilment.
True to her nature - his mother went in like a world wind. By the time she was done regaling to Virginia all that she saw as a wonderful business opportunity - Virginia was excited at the idea. Lida Bell went on to assure her a guarantee of success - promising her steady work - more security surrounding accommodations for her and her girls. Not only that, but because of her talents, a growing name to be proud of. She promised that by the time she was done, everyone in their town and perhaps the next would be coming to her to get their hair done, or a garment tailored to make their next most fashionable statement. The entire time Jacob’s mother spoke, he watched her, Virginia. He read her reaction, waiting for her to realize, he’d been instrumental in making this happen. He also noticed her flinching a bit here and there when his mother went into areas that might not be agreeable to Ginny. He could see her mind swirling, and that she was going to agree. Why wouldn’t she? Her circumstances really didn’t allow for much space in rejecting the idea.
He knew what her dream was.
She knew this would perhaps be her only chance at making it happen.
His Ginny.
Walking back to him, his father gestured that he follow him. They walked around the property, making notes of the repairs needed. In the hardware business, they had it all and connections to all. The plan, the idea was for her to sell her property and livestock to use the money to go in half with Lida Bell. Together, they would purchase a shop in town or at the edge of town that would have living quarters attached to it where Virginia and her girls could live. As for Virginia, because she was alone, she couldn’t make the farm work for her. Hanging onto it and the land made no sense to her when she and what she did was better suited for in town. Because South Carolina winters allowed it, with the sun out - a great deal of work could be done to make the house suitable for selling. Wasting not a moment of their time, once all agreed to what needed doing, they set to it.
GM hired on a few workers to trim the garden, gravel the driveway and paint the house on the outside. On the inside, Jacob rolled up his sleeves helping as well in stripping and buffering the wood floors, floor boards and ceiling trim, along with stripping the door frames and doors - staining and varnishing it all. By the time they were done, Virginia was reluctant to sell it - it was beautiful. Clear evidence of what money could do - something she nor her family had been able to do the whole time there. Lida Bell put up new pretty lace curtains throughout the house and a welcome mat just outside the door.
The house went up for sale.
When and if it sold, the money was Virginia’s to invest as a partner. GM explained that they would be taking from the sale what it cost them to fix the property up, what remained was hers to invest. Jacob felt immediately uncomfortable with his father stating there was a debt for Virginia to clear concerning what they spent. That’s not how he thought they’d do it. Addressing his father, being direct and forthright, Jacob voiced his concerns, “I don’t want her with a bill already, this is to help her out.”
They were in his father’s office, GM sat at his desk and hearing his son’s declaration, quirked a brow saying, “This is going to help her out.”
“I want to take care of her, like you said.”
“Son, you are - things are moving right along aren’t they?”
Jacob paused once more in thought, he was starting to see a side of his father that was startling. “Yes, they are…” he stated slowly, “…even so, I don’t want her to have this bill - I don’t want her having to pay out of the sale of the house.”
“And how is it that you suppose she can avoid it? This is business. She wanted to be in business-…”
“She wanted her own shop-…”
“Same thing son, same thing. This is business. To be in business, one has to pay - invest. I put that house right, dressed up the land, made it appealing to a possible buyer. Should it sell, she will get what’s left over after I take back what it cost me.”
“I’d… let me pay it, the costs for fixing up the house.” Jacob requested.
“You?”
“Yes, me. After all, I’m the one who came to you with this. I’m the one who planted the seed with mother. I’m the reason all of this is happening. I’ll pay it.”
“Your money is for school son.” GM reminded him.
“There’ll be plenty left over for school.”
“Look son, you’re getting in over your head. Have you bitten off more than you can chew? Leave all of this to me, I’ve been conducting business far longer than you’ve been alive. Leave everything to me and-…”
“I don’t want her in debt to you.” Jacob came out blunt with it. He saw something in his father that was making him feel uncomfortable where Virginia was concerned. “I would rather be in debt to you.”
GM saw something in his son that was reminiscent of a challenge. He leaned back in his chair, examining what he saw developing before them. “Son, you letting having your first piece of black tail get you all ate up like this?”
Jacob bristled at his words, “I haven’t had… any piece… as of yet.”
GM’s brow lifted in observation, “I see.” Nodding his head in understanding, he went on, “Let me get this right, you’re going to pay me, for her, out of your school money, which - in truth, is … my money - that I gave you, for school - did I get that right?” GM watched his son’s Adam’s apple bob up and down following a nervous gulp. GM waited for his son to say something in response to his summation. “Boy… you gettin’ in too deep.”
Jacob’s jaw went hard, tight - trying not to say anything more.
When GM saw that he had him right where he wanted him, he went in further - “That’s right, you wantin’ a woman, and you ain’t even a man yet.” He said in that southern authoritative drawl meant to put him in his place, “If you were, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
Jacob sat, stared and felt himself changing on the spot.
“Emmm, so you see my point. While we’re here, let’s get this straight right here and now shall we? Every dime that goes out of this house, came in through me. I earned it. It’s mine, all mine. Were it not for me - none of it would be possible. I don’t quite know why it is, but I’m beginning to feel a little unappreciated. I’m also willing to bet, if we went to Ms. Piercey with this, she would see t
hings my way. She’s got way more pride than you give her credit for. Why, I’m certain she’ll want to pay her own dues - even I know that about her.” He paused lifting his brows for emphasis, “One more thing son - almost all real men know, while doing business it’s always best to get all the preliminaries taken care of before any party has spent a dime, done the work. Since neither you, nor she asked for details in writing - I - having spent the money, having arranged for the work to get done, which is done I might add - I will say how this business, debt and repayment goes. That clear?”
Jacob remained quiet - caught as he was - after all, for the moment, his father was right. Jacob faced one of the biggest wake up calls he would have to endure. When his father gave a sardonic smile of triumph, the young man stood and turned heading for the door and left the office. All words and thoughts he might have, he kept to himself. His mind was now racing. He was tempted to have Virginia back out. However, it was too late, the house had been done, she now owed his father.
He felt sick.
He’d rushed ahead getting things in place assuming that he and his father were on the same page. Assuming that his desire to be charitable towards her and her daughters was a shared desire with his father. Now, he feared for the mess he might have gotten her into. All because, he didn’t really know his father. Or, what he knew about him, had never crossed his comfort zone until this moment. While Jacob might be young, he was not ignorant. He knew how many blacks were enslaved to this day by debt. How they were used by many land owners to get work done for dirt cheap, by dangling a carrot of promise only to later learn how great their debt. That he may have caused this to happen to Virginia was making him ill.
Slavery was supposed to be over, it wasn’t! They’d just altered the means of how they went about re-enslaving them. He hated it. It made him crazy that because of his desire for her, wanting her so badly, he had just set her up to being owned by his father. A father that he no longer trusted. In just a matter of a few weeks, Jacob went from being a young man, to being rudely awakened to fact that it was now time to be a man.
Beauty of Man and Woman - Volume 13: Bomaw Page 11
