As he stood there, he was determined that even if he had to hog tie Virginia - he would get her out of there and away from his parents. Thinking back to his one week visit, that’s why she wouldn’t see him, she was carrying his child. So his plan to move her and her daughter’s to Greenville and safety, now became an urgent need for his own flesh and blood child who needed protecting. He’d come just in the nick of time. What was sweetest of all, he still had two hundred dollars left of his European money. Every dime of it was going to Virginia. The moment he set eyes on her extended belly, he knew then and there he would be taking care of her for the rest of her life. That included her girls.
Irritated, his mother repeated her question and added to it, “Well, you tell me what we’re supposed to do about this mess that you made?”
“That child is mine, and you can stand there and say, if it shows that it is, we’ll toss it to an orphanage while claiming it dead before others? We’re talking about a human-being where your blood flows through its veins - you can be so cold and send it away like it’s nothing, to spare you… shame?” His disdain for her could not be clearer.
Lida Bell straightened her back bone, squared her shoulders, thrust her chin high to look down her nose at him. She did all she could not to look the way her son was describing her to be. She swallowed, cleared her throat and looked away from him, trying to think. Trying to mend her image before him. He was making her out to be wicked, cruel, unfeeling and callus. She didn’t know what to say to him. For the moment, words escaped her. Everyone knew her as sweet, gentle, loving and kind. As pretty a woman on the inside as she was out. Unable to say anything more, she turned from him, and would not look at Virginia either. Searching the shop, she located her purse and departed, walking to her lovely little surrey that she used to get about. She hadn’t learned to drive yet and wasn’t in a hurry to do so. Her surrey worked just fine for her, after all, they lived right outside of town, in a large sweeping plantation - which of course, no longer accommodated slaves.
Virginia didn’t know what to do, or what to say. She was stunned to see him there. All she could do was hold onto the broom, and wait to hear what he had to say to her, he didn’t make her wait long.
“We’re leaving. You, the girls and I, tonight - in fact, right now. We have a long drive ahead, and I want to be gone before my father finds out I’m here.”
“Huh? How, where Jacob? What about this shop, my half-…”
“You have nothing! Do you hear me, nothing! You stay here, they’ll destroy you. Besides, you carrying my child - I want him, or her out of here, out of danger. Do you hear what I’m saying to you Ginny? They cannot be trusted, neither of them. Let’s go!” He ordered.
She couldn’t believe her eyes, nor her ears. What had happened to him? This was no boy, but a man. She knew he was right, especially after what Lida Bell just showed of herself. Gulping, she nodded, “Okay, but… where Jacob-…”
“We can talk on the road, come on.” He rushed her.
Dropping the broom, Virginia did as he said while feeling her guts flip flop, she didn’t know what they could possibly do, or where they were going. “Jacob, I need to know where, I can’t just up and take my girls off without knowing where to?” She tried to explain heading up the back stairs to her apartment, stopping to turn around and look at him as he pushed her up, hand on her rear.
“You trust me or not Ginny? You think I would do anything to endanger you or your girls? If I’m taking you away, don’t you think I have enough sense to know, there has to be somewhere on the other end? Somewhere safe? Besides, you’re carrying my child - that makes me responsible for you now. Trust me Ginny, please… trust me.”
She gulped, felt her head spinning and then once again she nodded and turned back to climbing the stairs. He helped her tear through her apartment, grabbing only what he felt they could carry. Her friend Bonita was there, watching her girls for her with her own little girl. Bonita had been helping her. They’d been friends for so long, and both were in the same boat, trying to make it without a man.
“What’s happening? What’s going on Virg?” Her voice conveyed her fright because of their actions.
Jacob turned, looked at Bonita and asked off the top of his head, “Come with us, now Bonita.”
“What? Huh? What you talking about?” She stammered with her heart pounding in fear looking from him to Virginia.
“I’m taking Ginny away from here. Somewhere better, safer. You got nothing here Bonita, I know that, come with her, so you two have each other. I promise you, you’ll be fine.”
“Huh? Just… up and leave, and go where? Just take off? Why, what’s happening, she in danger?”
“Not yet, no… but - I know some things and I want her out of this and away from here, especially that I know she’s having my child. The time to go is now. My father is out of town, I want her gone before he gets back. I’m asking you what I asked her - to trust me. If I say you’ll be all right where we’re going, you can believe it. I would feel so much better about her being there, if I knew you’re with her. You have to decide now, right now Bonita, there’s no time to decide later.”
“What about my daughter?” She asked. Who stood still with frightened wide eyes, while Josephine and Tara helped their mother throw clothing, shoes and other keep sakes in bags.
“She’s coming with you of course. There’s room for you where I’m taking you. You won’t regret this Bonita, in fact, it may be the best move for you.”
Bonita looked from Jacob to Virginia, “What you think?” She asked her long-time friend.
“Please,” Virginia nodded, “Come with me, please?”
Letting out a loud exhaled, “What I’m gonna do about our things?” She asked.
“Leave it all, you’ll be fine and can get what you need once there.” Jacob informed her.
Bonita took a moment and then nodded, “Let’s go, hurry for I change my mind.”
Jacob moved with rapid speed, hauling everything out and stuffing it into his car, making the back seat into a bed for the girls and Bonita to lie down. If Virginia needed a rest, they could switch off. The last thing she grabbed was her secret stash of money. She was happy to have that, not knowing about the other money Jacob planned to give her once they got to their destination. Within thirty-five minutes of them hitting the back stairs, they were off.
When they arrived in Greenville - it was late at night. Jacob had driven all the way answering any and all questions the two ladies asked of him. He explained that they would be completely self-sufficient and he’d already gotten things started. He wouldn’t go into detail because he wanted them to see it for themselves. His number one concern was for Virginia and how she felt. His eyes went to her mound every now and then as he drove. His large hand couldn’t resist reaching over to palm where his child was snuggled in safe and sound. She let him, after all, he had done it to her - this baby was indeed his. “You okay?” He mouthed to her. She assured him that she was fine, suffering only a little back ache, but nothing major. Of course it was dark by the time they pulled up before Virginia’s new house, but… it was lit up by a bright harvest moon. They got out looking at it in disbelief. Right away, they could see that it was larger than her previous farmhouse. “I can show you the outlay of the land in the morning before I leave-…”
“Before you leave?” Virginia parroted with a touch of fear.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine here. Let’s go in and put the girls to bed.” He consoled both women. When they walked into the dark home, he surprised them by flipping the switch to turn on lights. They both gasped in surprise. Not only from the lights, but from the nice size living-room and furniture. It was simple, straight lines and ivy green, a three cushion sofa, a two cushion loveseat and two chairs. There were end tables, a coffee table and lamps. Virginia smiled, she liked it.
Jacob was relieved and hopeful by the look on her face, “Yes, lights - electricity and furniture and more.” Before he showed the
m more, he showed them that there were three bedrooms all down one side of the house. An indoor bathroom at the end of them and pass another wall into a spacious kitchen. Off of that, there was another door. First, they put the girls to bed in the middle bedroom, where twin beds awaited them. Bonita’s daughter climbed into what would be their bed, in the room by the bathroom. Once the girls went back to sleep, he showed them the house front to back and especially the room he built on for them to pick up where they left off should they gather customers. “This time, you’ll do any head you wish - right here. Sew as well.” He nodded, proud of himself, “Don’t worry about the money you might have made back there with my mother, it wasn’t going to be that much Ginny, really it wasn’t. This is better for you.” He stated, hopeful that she agreed.
Bonita couldn’t believe her eyes. Sighing, she excused herself, “It’s late, and I’m tired. We have a lot to do tomorrow and I’m gone need my rest.” She looked right into Jacob’s eyes saying, “Ask me, you did good. Goodnight you two…” before she walked into the door of her room, her eyes on Jacob, “You somethin’ else Jacob McPherson, somethin’ indeed.” Smiling she went in the room she would share with her daughter and closed the door.
They then went to the front bedroom, that would be Virginia’s. She sat on the bed, testing it out, spinning in wonder. “Comfortable?” He asked. She smiled, at a loss for words, so nodded her head and then yawned.
“Get some sleep, I’ll bring your things in from the car.”
“What about you, you need some sleep too.”
“I’ll be all right, don’t you worry. Get in there now, feet up, get some rest.”
“You gonna, come in here and sleep?” She asked, hoping that he would.
Jacob shook his head, “My aim is to do right by you Ginny, that means - no more taking advantage of you, just because I can. Sleep now.” He turned away from her right away, because he was still weak when it came to her. Closing the door behind him, he unloaded his car. From it also, he took out two shot guns and bullets. He wasn’t sure if she would consider using them, but for their own protection, he had to make them available. After he was done, he set on the porch, instead of going inside and getting some sleep. Rubbing the shotguns down and wondering if this too was a mistake. The thing was, even if they were protecting themselves, and they shot someone white, they could very well hang them.
Jacob had every type of possible scenario going through his mind until he was frightened for her and her girls. His eyes pooled, his heart sped up and he wondered why the Lord had let this world come to this? Yes, there was the devil, he knew that and he was busy wrecking lives. But he wanted him to leave his Ginny and her girls alone. To leave his child alone. He was frightened for them. Even though they were in a better place now - because they were black, there were no guarantees. Horrible, evil white folks were everywhere, and you couldn’t tell which one was good or evil. His mother was willing to do something he never thought she would, he didn’t know she was capable of being like that. It saddened him to witness that she’d failed the test, which broke his heart. Jacob loved his mother, had always adored her - but she was a selfish woman. He saw for himself first hand, that she thought herself above black people, above his Ginny. Using a shoulder, Jacob brushed a tear away.
He was already setting things up to settle there in Greenville as their Baptist minister. He would have to live on the other side of town, but he would be near to Virginia to see about her, protect her, provide for her and her children. His tall body unfolded there on the porch. He was nineteen years old now, and felt as if he were ninety. Since falling in love with her, a Negro woman, the world - the real world had opened up for him to see it as it really was. Sighing deep, he dragged his tired soul across her front porch, went in the house, locking it up. On the sofa, he made a place for himself to sleep. He would sleep on whether or not to leave them with the shotguns - his soul was tortured and troubled as he tossed and turned. The entire time he prayed and prayed hard, that what he’d done, was enough.
Dawn came swiftly.
Determined not to wake Jacob, Virginia and Bonita kept the girls silent as they used the back door to go out and take a look at their new home. Virginia couldn’t believe it. She was surrounded by lovely gardens, fields and an orchard. The girls ran and played finding new things to show their mothers as they discovered them. Already, they had a harvest of foods they only needed to pickle and can. While they were out looking here and there, they met their neighbors. They met the men and women Jacob had paid to get things started for them. Not one face was judgmental of the fact that Virginia was tight and loaded with a babe due any day now, and no husband to show for it. They just wanted to know her and introduced themselves. Because of Jacob they knew without being told, that she’d been set up by him. In no time flat, they had new friends and were welcomed with opened arms. Again, hard times called for them to pull together. Her new neighbors promised to help them if they needed any. The afternoon had not shown itself, and already Bonita had drawn the attention of a widow man. He had two young girls himself that he was seeing to on his own.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. Aside from being too skinny, in his eyes, she was a lovely woman.
Virginia’s head was filled with all they would need to get their harvest in. She couldn’t believe that she had livestock as well. In the place that she’d left, all the livestock had been sold off with the property. Here, she had more, just enough to see to her needs and care for, as well her own wagon and horse. She couldn’t wait for Jacob to wake up to tell him how much she loved her new home. How much she loved her new neighbors already. Leaving Bonita and the girls out by the barn, she came in the house through the back door and could hear him in the bathroom.
“Jacob, it’s me, Ginny… you all right this morning,” She asked through the door, calling herself what he’d taken up to calling her. He opened it right away, finished using it to greet her with a smile. “I’m just fine this morning Ms. Ginny, just fine indeed.” Holding his hand out to her, she took it immediately, “I need to talk to you about something real important, come sit with me a spell.” Together they went back to the front room and sat, the two of them on the sofa, and him in a chair he pulled up close to face her.
Virginia sat leaning to one side away from him to give her full attention, her hand on her round girth, waiting for Jacob to start. He couldn’t for the moment, because his eyes were drawn to her midsection and stuck there. With the intensity of his rapt attention, he saw her belly shift, a rounded knot or ball like lump came up and moved across the side she rubbed. His eyes went from it up to Virginia’s eyes, “Oh Ginny, oh Ginny…” he dropped to his knees crawling the small space between them to where he placed his large hand there to feel it for himself. Against the rough palm of his hand, his child’s vigorous movements could be felt. Moisture came to his hazel-green eyes as they met hers, “I would marry you Ginny if I could. I want you to be mine, forever - to the day I die, but-…”
“I know Jacob, I know.”
He drew in a deep breath and blowing it out said, “Anyway, I need you to know that I’m gonna take care of you forever Ginny. I don’t want you ever having to worry about how you gonna make it. You can do your sewing here, and hair too on the side only if the mood strikes you. I’ll be right across town. I’ll be taking over the church there, as their Baptist minister-…”
Gasping, cutting him off, Virginia’s smile was bright and beautiful, “Oh my, yes - and you will be a good one.”
He leaned down and kissed her hand, and then her belly, “I wanna please the Lord Ginny, and I want you to be happy, safe…speaking of safe.” He reached beneath the sofa where she sat and pulled out two large shotguns, “Tell me, do you want to keep these?” Along with them, he brought out bullets.
“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you why I’m considerin’ leaving them for you, but I need you to tell me - if you want them or not.”
Virginia caressed the side of his face. W
hen he finished growing, filling out completely into his manhood, he was going to be one handsome man. He just needed to eat more. It wasn’t easy for a man of his height to put on weight. She figured he was well over six feet. She was thinking, at least four inches over. Everything was big on him, his head, his hands, his feet, and certainly his manhood. His body had work to do to fill out in mass, but she was certain that it would. Regardless of that, he was strong as a bull.
“What you thinking Ginny?” He asked, watching how she was looking him over.
“How fortunate the woman you gone marry one day, is gonna be.”
“Don’t think I’m ever gonna marry, because it’s you I want.”
“I’m gonna always be right here, where you placed me Jacob. You need to talk, or just to sit on that porch and think - you come here and you do just that. This, gonna always be your home, with me.”
Her words worked to choke him up as he placed his long arms around her, squeezing her tight. “In my heart Ginny, you my wife, you the one I choose. No matter what comes down the road, I’m gonna always love you.”
She stroked his strawberry blond silk and kissed the top of his head, hugging him to her. “I’m gonna find a way to divorce Reginald. I don’t know how, or who to see about doing it, but I will. Once I do, I’ll never marry again. In my heart, you my husband, my real husband. I promise you that.”
He leaned away from her, looking into her stunning face once more. Needing to get back to subject of the shotguns, “Do I leave’em with you Ginny, yes or no?”
“Leave’em, I know how to use’em. My daddy taught me and my mama. I’d feel safer with them here.”
He nodded his head, “Put’em away safe then. If for nothing else, you have them for hunting.”
She nodded smiling.
“And this place, this house - you like it, did I do okay?”
“Jacob, I love it. It’s wonderful, I’ve met some of my neighbors, so kind and helpful. We got loads of work to do harvest time. Thank you, for everything - I’m so glad I trusted you.”
Beauty of Man and Woman - Volume 13: Bomaw Page 15
