“He’s your son!”
“As of this day - you are mine! When you return - you’ll tell him - that it’s over.” He stared into her eyes a moment, showing that it was a demand, not a request. She sat giving no reply and finally turned her eyes away from him. He backed away standing. His eyes were still on her while hers searched the covers. “Do we understand each other? You will tell him, the first time you see him.” She was still quiet. “Answer me - you will tell him the first time you see him, repeat it … now!”
Virginia’s heart pounded so hard it made her struggle for her next breath, tying her stomach into knots.
“I’m waiting, and not for much longer.”
Her eyes finally went up to him, “I’ll tell him, first chance that I see him.”
Satisfied, he turned away heading back to his own room to get ready to leave. She sat a while longer, listening to him move about the impressive log cabin. Her mind was all over the place, unable to settle on any one given thought. There she sat, waiting for what she wasn’t sure and suddenly he was back, standing in the doorway looking at her. “I’m leaving, don’t forget what I said. Get up and make yourself presentable. I expect you to wear these things considering what they cost me.” Leaving with that departing shot, she heard him head down the stairs and out the door.
Sighing, Virginia tossed the covers aside and climbed from the bed. Naked she searched for the gown she wore there, and spotted it on the floor at the end of the bed. Picking it up, she examined it - he’d torn it from bodice to hem. Not one to waste, she knew she could repair it. Folding it, she placed it aside to repair later once she returned to her home again - if - she had a home to return to. Now that she was up, she turned her eyes to inspecting the room around her, slipping her arms into the closest dressing gown and tying the satiny belt. In the corner, she saw a deep claw foot bath - yes - of course indoor plumbing, no reason for GM sparing the smallest luxury. On auto-mode as if hypnotized, Virginia went over and started her bath. Sitting on the edge of it, her fingers tested the temperature. Taking in more of her environment, she glanced over her shoulder toward the wall a few steps from the screen and bath, noting the vanity. Of course GM would have one there for her. On it, various perfumes, eau de toilettes, oils and creams. She wasn’t impressed because that wasn’t for her, it was for him - so that he could say he’d done that. So he could enjoy his favorite fragrance on her skin. Curious, she stood making her way to the vanity where she sniffed the various bottles and chose the one most appealing to her. Adding the oils to the bath, she dropped the dressing gown from her and stepped in. The water was wonderful, it felt glorious. She sat a few moments with her knees drawn up tight against her breasts hugging them. She wanted to simply sit for a moment and not move. Lowering her face she rested a cheek on her knee and closed her eyes. By no means was she a virgin, after all, three children. However after GM had a hold of her, she throbbed in places as if it had been her first time. He was not a small man, no doubt his well endowment was part of the reason for his arrogance, his cockiness. She soaked because her body had been well used - his son was like him in that he wasn’t small either. But Jacob was tender, gentle and careful with her - she liked that - well, sometimes. Now, having the alternative to gentleness, she wasn’t so sure she cared for it rough considering the size coming at her. She wasn’t sure how long she sat, staring into space.
No tears.
No wailing.
No prayers
Just acceptance.
All she cared about was that her babies were okay. As for her - as for GM taking her at will, with plans to continue until he had his fill - she had no way of stopping him. She had no will to stop him. He was the local powerhouse. Against him she had no chance. She could try and leave - but it simply was not worth the stress - the effort. More thoughts of possibilities went through her mind until finally, shaking her head, she grabbed the large sponge and began cleaning herself. A while later, she stepped out and oil-moisturized her body - making sure her skin was silky everywhere he might touch. As she already knew, he would touch her everywhere. Done there, she looked over the many ensembles and chose one. In truth, she liked the choices she had, and picked one that had coppery hues. It simply set her skin aglow. Following his orders, she did her hair, put on a bit more perfume, dabbed on a bit of lip rouge to her full lips and slipped her feet into the feather top, high heel slippers and walked to the tall brass mirror, giving herself a look over. Even though Jacob Edward was only 14 months old, no one could tell she’d ever had a child, let alone three. Her body was long, slender and shaped to feminine sleekness. Narrow at the top, slight waist, broadening just so at the hips, but more than anything, a full protruding firm rump. GM’s hands were always there, cupping, gripping and pinning her in place as he went at her as if he would never stop. Her breasts were small, flat from breast feeding - not as plump as they once were - but he didn’t seem to mind.
Tying the loose draping wrap with the thin spaghetti ties, she turned from the mirror having seen enough. She straightened up the room, putting it into order - satisfied she made her exit and down the wide deep stone stairs. Now that she was alone, she could take in all that surrounded her. She’d never known or been inside such luxury as this - because she’d never been a maid. At the bottom of the steps - she suddenly spoke her mind, “No sa’, no maid me - I’m GM’s own personal whore you see. That’s who I am. Did his son, now - I do him.” Swallowing the lump in her throat, she shook it off, there was no sense in crying - why waste the tears. She walked into the opulent kitchen - took her time walking around it to find everything she might need, and got to work - preparing GM a meal.
What GM wants… he gets - even she knew that.
Finding all to prepare them a meal, she got busy with it. Timing in his travel in her mind - she figured she only had a bit more time to prepare things for his satisfactory. She found steaks, prepared hash browns, fixed biscuits, sausage gravy and scrambled eggs. All while she prepared things, she thought about Jacob. GM ordered her to break it off with him. She had planned doing that anyway. Nothing within her could stand the idea of going from this man, back to his beautiful son. Jacob was too good for her and certainly a better man than his father.
Sure enough, she’d timed things pretty well - he returned just when the food was on the table and perfectly prepared and hot - in fact, she heard him coming in just as she was scraping the scrambled eggs off into their plates.
He smelled the food and came straight to the kitchen. He stopped - froze in the doorway to drink her and the domestic scene in. She stood by the table, where he would sit, heat-mit and skillet in one hand, the spatula in the other. Facing him, she asked right away, “My kids?”
Waiting for his answer, she stepped to the hot stove putting the pan there.
His eyes were busy raking her form from head to toe. After a moment he answered, “Bonita has them. All fine. Your home and another is gone. Besides that, all is well.” He walked into the room, approaching her where she stood near the stove, taking her hand he pulled her to him and along to the table.
“Let me go see my kids, please?” She was trying not to beg, but the need was clear in her voice. She was trying not to think about the beautiful home Jacob had prepared for her, gone! The things within she’d gained and fixed up, gone! Bonita’s beautiful gown she’d been working on, gone! Pushing all of that to the back of her mind, her focus was on her children.
“When I’m done with you - you can go see to them.” His hand lifted to touch her face, she turned away.
“When are you going to be done with me?” She asked, keeping her face away from his lingering hand.
“When I say… I’m done with you.” He answered, and then smiled, his gaze was admirable, “I bet you’d love to get me told, wouldn’t you?” He chuckled at her checked spirit. “You think I don’t see you seething, hm? Right below the surface,” His knuckles went to gentle caress beneath her chin anyway, “…you can barely keep it in.” He chu
ckled again. His fingers went down her throat, to the knobs of her collar bone and then down her chest - slow - forcing her to stand there and take his touch. He could see she wanted to move away, but she dare not. He thought that funny, since he’d never shown a violent side to her, or to anyone she knew for that matter. He was all smiles, he loved being in power - and yes, most certainly having this power over her - a power she would give way to. “I’d love to set that spirit in you free, that fire you keep from me - on account of you not quite sure what I’ll do. Playing your cards close to your chest,” He figured out loud, speaking low and soft, watching her breathing increase, her breasts rose and fell because he was touching her and wouldn’t stop. He watched her eyes, that she hooded as if peering at the floor and said to distract him, “Foods getting cold.”
He gave a sardonic crooked grin, his hand dropped away, “Yes, it is and I’m starving.” He turned away and sat at the head of the table, nodding her to where she was to sit next to him, “Sit, eat. You’ll need it.”
Virginia’s face burned but she did as she was told, picking at her food.
“Don’t pick at it, eat it - it’s good. You ought to know, you prepared it.”
She popped in small bites of it, mostly the eggs - that was all she had an appetite for, “My kids ask about me? Jacob okay?”
“Of course they asked about you. They’re fine, Jacob was fretting for you - but Josephine is good with him.” He answered while cutting into his steak.
Her eyes shot up to him, “Let me go to them - you can bring me back. I gotta see about him, he too young to be away from me this long.”
“He’ll be fine, Bonita’s seeing to him.”
“Bonita’s not his mama, I am!” Finally he was getting the fire, “It’s your own flesh and blood grandson, don’t you care?”
“If I didn’t care,” He chewed his tender steak, and drank a bit of water, “he’d probably be dead right now, as well you - and your other two. Eat I said… more than eggs.”
She put her fork down and sat back, “I gotta see my children,” she tried again, “I promise I’ll come back with you.”
“Of course you will - what other choice have you?” He asked, rolling his amazing hazel blues at her. His power and control as a wealthy white man was accepted by most blacks. While he’d done nothing to anyone that she knew of to give her reasons to fear him - the simple matter of fact was - he was white - wealthy and by some who knew - could be dangerous. That’s all it took to be in control. That’s all it took to demand and command respect - and in her case, obedience. It only helped slightly that he was in truth - stunning in looks. Tall, gorgeous, dazzling smile and a head full of lovely strawberry blond - thick hair. It laid and flowed beautifully when combed into place. He was the perfect blend of man, not too pretty, most certainly masculine - smooth and sleek as a jaguar. He dressed the part, he walked the part, he smelled the part - and then climbed into bed with it. Was there a difference between him and his son? Oh yes, yes indeed there was, a big difference. Yes - he knew all that he was as well. His arrogance and his pride - would one day be his fall, but this day - one and all, black and white were compelled to stop and listen - eager to please him.
“You’re not eating,” He went on to coax her, like the perfect gentlemen he could be, but wasn’t always.
“I’m not hungry.” She returned immediately.
He sat exhaling long and deep, watching her be stubborn, obstinate with him - it was clear he was not pleased that she wasn’t eating. “Fine, you eat more of your food - dress yourself extra nice - pick something of the clothes I bought you and - well, I’ah take you to see your kids.”
He caught her gentle sigh of relief, “Don’t expect to always get your way with me, and don’t expect to stay long. You mine this weekend - all mine.”
What could she say?
What could she do?
She ate slowly, had to force down what she did eat, it wasn’t as much as he wanted, but it was better than the bit she had. She thought about Jacob, what would he do when he found out about them? She found herself mentioning it out loud, “Jacob will find out about this - he won’t like it.”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass - what he likes! I’m his father - he’s not mine. I should’ve never offered you to him in the first place.” His making that statement drew a dirty look from her. He smirked, grinned and could care less how she took that, “Didn’t like that huh? Seeing more and more of that fire you try and keep hidden.” He chuckled, “Like it or not - I - stepped back from you and gave him the go ahead - permission to pursue you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have touched you. No man - around here would have dared touch you - not without my go ahead.”
Her eyes burned with simmering dislike for him at that moment. Taking her chances, she spoke more of what was on her mind. “You better learn you some humble GM, the lord don’t like your kind of arrogance - boasting - pride - it comes before the fall.”
He was popping the last of his steak in his mouth when she said it, chewing and grinning his reply was, “You been listening too much to that son of mine.”
“From Jacob was not the first I hear of the lord.”
Irritated, GM tossed a thick finger in her direction to point out and order, “When I have you here with me - I don’t want none of that lord, bible, preaching nonsense talk - you hear?”
Her answer was a blatant glare.
Noticing, he nodded sardonically, “Guess you not wishing to see your babies after all.”
“I hear you.” She gave up immediately.
“I thought so. Get that food eaten and get ready so we can go. I have a few stops to make, I want you to look your best - you understand?”
She nodded - of course she understood. She would be on his side, that required her to be the best that she could be.
Wasting no time, she did her hair and added a bit more makeup, not much - in truth - she didn’t need much. On her head, tilted to the side, she perched a cream camel tam hat that added to her hairstyle and stunning looks. Over her long smooth, tube dress, also cream camel suede that loved her figure and showed it off, she wore a matching fur lined cape coat with mink collar. Her feet slid into matching 2 inch heel suede leather ankle boots and last, her hands slid into the long camel suede gloves that reached her elbows. Coming down the stairs, she walked in a way that she always did when wearing clothing she wished to present at their best.
GM stood at the bottom watching her descent, and from the look on his face, she knew that he approved. She stopped right before him because he blocked her way, still gazing up at her. She held the cape wrap before her, showing off the glove of one hand, the other held a matching clutch purse with lipstick, mirror, powder, a comb and perfumed hankie. Their eyes locked, one on the other - neither said a word, and yet no words were needed. He only gave a slight nod of his head and then, stepped aside for her to pass him to head for the door, his silent, ‘Ladies first…’
On his word, their first stop was to her small community. When his Cadillac pulled up, it was to everyone cleaning up. They paused to see her climbing from the grand vehicle - dressed to the nines - high Ritz style, like a lady of prestige and class. Only, Virginia felt anything but. She was almost brought to tears to see her children. She felt as if she was being taken away from them forever - instead of over the weekend. Thankfully, baby Jacob Edward was napping. Bonita promised that the kids were just fine and that Josephine was helping her take good care of Baby Jacob.
Virginia stood in Bonita’s home looking out the window at GM. He stood outside by his Cadillac, one foot up on the runner board smoking a pipe, the other hand in his pocket as he gazed about - waiting for her. Suddenly he pulled the chain of his gold pocket watch, cupping the fob, clicking it open to check the time. She sighed, knowing that her time was up. Before she left, asked, “You seen Jacob at all?”
“No, can’t say as I have. You be careful now - I know you - don’t cross him - (she meant GM) - Let him take care of you now Virg.”
She had nothing to say to that but called her girls to her, “Come give mama a kiss girls, take care of your baby brother. I’ah be back by Monday, okay? Be good girls for me, please?”
“We will mama,” Josephine was quick to answer, kissing and hugging her. She swore she never saw anyone so beautiful as her mama. When she grew up, she wanted to be just like her. She stood back as her little sister took her turn, and then they both rushed to the window to watch her leave. Outside they could see her walking to the tall white man who opened the car door for her, handing her inside. Closing the door he made his way around to his side and he too climbed in, closing the door. The car started and they watched it drive away with their mama inside.
Josephine turned her head up to look at Bonita who was standing at their backs, “Why is my mama with that Mr McPherson?”
Bonita’s face was stern, “Never you mind that, none of yo’ business - you know yo’ mama works for them, he just takin’ her to work. She gotta make money - to - to build a new home fo’yall. Come on, we got work of our own to do.”
Back in the Cadillac, “Happy now?” he asked.
It took a few moments as he drove for her to finally answer him, gazing out of her door window, “I’m a Negro woman - who will never be free - we don’t get to be happy,” she turned to look at him with a flat expression, “Long as you happy, that’s all that matters.”
That smart remark ignited his anger, making him blast her, “Dagblast your black - ungrateful soul! Haven’t I protected you? Bought you those expensive clothes? More than you’ll no doubt ever wear! I’ve spared no expense for you! That room, filled with things for you, all of it, just for you! That cabin - for me and you to meet! It’s the best place to be found anywhere around here! How dare you say that to me! Women!” He boiled and steamed, then shaking his head growled her words in a naggy woman’s voice, “Long as you happy, that’s all that matters!” - “Know what, you’re right! Long as I’m happy - and to make me happy, you best start acting like you’re happy - you hear?”
Beauty of Man and Woman - Volume 13: Bomaw Page 22
