Descendants of Hagar

by Nik Nicholson

  I ride up long side the buggy. Buggies always slower than riding, cause the horses pulling more weight. This one got so much stuff on back, it’s gone be all day getting somewhere. Daddy and Isaiah up front. Zay smile, and tilt his hat good morning and I nod back. Daddy just look at me, then my pants, frown and shake his head. He hate I don’t live with ’im no more, so he can watch me, and make me do what he wont.

  “Morning!” I say smugly, knowing Daddy wish he could whup me now.

  “Git on back round to ya house, with them pants on,” he order. “You already making a bad impression on yah guest, and yall ain’t even met.” He shakes his head frowning sourly and sits up.

  Curious, I get closer to the buggy, watching the wheels making sure to keep Anastasia’s legs from ’em. I look inside. First I see Mama’s disapproving face, then her, the stranger looking back just as curious as I am.

  “Morning,” she smile scooting closer to the window and leaning out.

  Mama push ‘a back way from the window and poke ‘a lips out at me.

  I don’t say nothing back, I cain’t. For a moment I just stare at ‘a. Then I look at all the stuff on the back of the carriage, again. Look at ‘a again, think about how long she gone stay, and what room she gone sleep in. She so different looking, so beautiful it stir something in me. I cain’t take no more. I tap Anastasia on the tail and we take off.

  When I get round to the house, Reverend Patrick waiting on the front porch with his wife, Alice, or Mrs. Harper I call ‘a. They dressed in their Sunday best. I can tell how they standing Mrs. Harper wearing a corset, cause of how stiff she moving. She wearing a dark green dress, look like it should have a wedding train, and matching hat. They standing so strange, look like they bout to take a photograph. I feel like they gone be after me bout being underdressed.

  When I ride up, I don’t know what possess me to do it, but I tilt my hat at Mrs. Harper the way a man would.

  “Ain’t that some mess!” she fuss, stepping to the edge of the porch like she coming to get me. “You been over here by yoself too long! And why you riding round in pants?”

  “Iain spect nobody to be round here but me,” I explain, getting down off Anastasia, leading ‘a to the post and tying ‘a there. Reverend Patrick and Ms. Harper looking at me crazy, like they waiting on something.

  “Your garden needs weeding. You couldn’t have started planting, cause it doesn’t even look like you finished harvesting the last crop. Your smoke house empty, and I didn’t even look in the cellar. What are you doing over here?” Mrs. Harper fold ‘a arms, and Reverend Patrick look like he uncomfortable.

  “Iain but one person,” I say defending myself.

  “Well hire some hands to help. You can afford to pay somebody. And folks need jobs round here,” Mrs. Harper push.

  “I don’t feel right hiring nobody, being nobody’s boss and we all know ain nobody in Zion wont to work for me. Not after all this mess with me getting Miemay’s money and land. I cain’t just hire strangers, they always bring trouble.”

  “Well, you gone have to do something. You sure are Cassius Remington’s daughter, with yo stubborn self.

  “I’m gone tell you what. This week, before it’s out or the first of next week, I’m sending one of my boys over here to help you git this place in order. You pay ’im whatever you think is fair.

  “Lord knows they could use the money to help with they taxes, specially with all this boll weevil business. The crop ain’t hardly yielding nothing. I don’t know how nobody gone make ends meet. I don’t know why yo Daddy won’t just ask you for the money to pay his taxes.”

  Soon as Mrs. Harper finish, I understand why Daddy so mad. “They got a family trust everybody pay into for all the Remington land. He don’t pay for taxes by hisself.”

  “Oh,” Mrs. Harper look at Reverend Patrick, he turning his hat like she done stepped in it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you didn’t know.”

  “Know what?”

  “Ya daddy been moved out the trust cause you got Victor’s inheritance. They say since he rich now he don’t need to be in it.”

  “Miemay woulda paid for them all to keep they land.”

  “It ain’t over yet, the time to pay the taxes on his land ain’t completely passed. Then, it take a few years fore they take your house for being behind. But they usually be done paid that money already and be on to making other plans. This year it ain’t so.”

  “I’ll just pay their taxes.”

  “Yo daddy ain’t gone accept yo money. He a man and they pigheaded, got to have thangs they way.” Mrs. Harper nudge Reverend Patrick.

  “That’s enough.” Reverend Patrick puff out his chest, but Mrs. Harper don’t hardly pay ’im no mind. She keep right on saying what she gone say.

  “Oh Patrick, it’s true. Men always got to have things a certain way or it cain’t go. Ain’t like this girl don’t love ‘a daddy and don’t want to help. Ain’t like it’s her fault Miemay left ‘a everything, what can she do?”

  I realize why Daddy say I cain’t come around no more. “You keep the land books, I’ll pay his taxes directly to you,” I tell Reverend Patrick.

  Inhaling deep, he look over at me, and then at his wife. “Fine, but yo daddy gone be mad.”

  “He’ll still have his house.” I dismiss that, he can be mad.

  “Back to you,” Mrs. Harper go on. “You being stubborn and not liking to ask for help, you got that honest from ya daddy. You want one of my boys to go with you to help find some hands to work in these fields? You could git a crew and let them stay in Miemay’s old place during the week. Then they could go home on the weekend. Maybe you could even charge them a little room and board. You could cook them meals, and then you could just tend to the wife duties.”

  “Even if I hire help, I’m still gone work my land, and work the big fields with everybody else.”

  “The town land ain’t what’s going to ruins. Worry bout your own back porch fore you sweep off your neighbors,” Reverend jump in.

  I get silent, and try to contain myself. “I don’t want to be in my house like some queen. Miemay what’n never in no house, she was in the fields, at ‘a store, on ‘a properties and visiting folks. That’s how she always knew what was going on.”

  Reverend breathe heavy, frustrated with me. “You hire people when you have as much responsibility and money as you do. It’s impossible to do everything and be everywhere. You don’t work in your own store, you hire someone. What you do is check the books, make sure the money is right. You do the ordering so the store stocked. How you think Miemay was able to be midwife and root woman, seeing bout the sick and tending to ’em?”

  Mrs. Harper start, “Then, you ain’t Miemay. Miemay whole family was helping ‘a cause they all had they eyes on getting a piece of land or money, whenever she died. She gone now, and she done left it to you. Now ain’t no reason for them to show up no more. I wouldn’t be surprised if that uncle and cousin you got working in that store ain’t stealing from you right today. They all feel they entitled to what you got, and to take a little ain nothing.”

  “Uncle Victor and Ernest wouldn’t steal from me.”

  “It ain’t stealing if Ernest feel like what you got his. If he feel like you’re the thief, why wouldn’t he? In his mind them things rightfully his anyhow. You better git yo head out the dirt, girl, and come out that fantasy you living in. Truth be told, they stole from Miemay when she was living.”

  “Alice.” Reverend Patrick look at ‘a stern, as if his look could stop ‘a mouth, when we all know it never could.

  “You better be checking them books and hiring some more workers,” Mrs. Harper point at me, like she wish she could pinch me they way she use to when I was a child.

  “We don’t know they stealing,” Reverend add.

  “Victor living better than he ever did, him and his son Ernest. All while Linny ain’t paying no attention, he probly robbing ‘a blind. She a woman by ‘aself, she got to live, too. So she be
st be gitting on down there, and staying on top of them books.”

  Turning back to me, she say, “If you ain’t gone do wife duties, don’t be in no fields. You best git down to that store and find out bout how much your part is for that hotel. The traffic been picking up, the train bringing way more Coloreds here, and the hotel always pay the store. I bet Ernest collecting on some of that, too.”

  I feel too ashamed to look up. I feel like a fish on a hook, waiting to be pulled in and gutted.

  “Hurry up and git changed out of them pants,” Mrs. Harper order, like she my mama.

  “You got company coming today.” Reverend Patrick face sour taking in what I’m wearing again. “I wished we’da got word sooner. I just got the notice in the mail this morning, so Iain even have time to prepare, or git the town ready.” Reverend Patrick look concerned.

  “And you ain’t gone have ‘a over here with you acting like no heathen,” Mrs. Harper fuss. “You bring ‘a to church. I don’t understand why you ain’t there every Sunday no how. But you better have yourself in service this Sunday. I’m cooking dinner too, and I expect you to be there.” Mrs. Harper stand wit’ ‘a hands on ‘a hips like she expecting some back talk.

  Reverend Patrick don’t say nothing, he stand mute like she the law round here.

  I just smile at ‘a, realize how much I miss having her around. She kinda be like my mama, too. “Yes, ma’am.” I hug ‘a.

  “That’s all she got to do is tell you she expect you to come and you gone show up? You sass me when I talk to you,” Reverend Patrick say annoyed, staring at me like he ain never seen this side of me.

  Then Mrs. Harper start pulling me close and hugging me the way ain’t nobody done in a long time, saying, “That’s cause she my baby,” like she got one leg up on ’im. When he roll his eyes, she say, “Run on in the house and git yo self cleaned up. Cain’t be meeting folks looking any kinda way. First impressions are important, and you representing this town. So you behave over here, and act like a lady. You hear?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I agree, pleased I can make ‘a smile the way she smiling. Been a while since somebody looked at me like I could do anything right.

  “You always was a hard working easy child,” Reverend Patrick add looking over at me.

  “Grew to be such a beautiful woman, and you so humble. I like that you a hard worker, and that you ain rule by ya looks. Ain stuck on ya self like some folks.”

  “Alice, don’t talk about ya son’s wife,” Reverend remind ‘a.

  “Anyway, I was just telling Patrick the other day how strong and smart you are. I couldn’t imagine being out here by myself. Didn’t I say that Patrick?” She lifting ‘a head proud of ‘aself, and me too.

  For some reason, I start smiling and I’m glad Mrs. Harper think so much of me.

  “You know, I always wished I had a daughter. And if I did, I hoped she’d be-” she breathe out hard, smiling and doting on me. She don’t finish, cause she done said it to me a hundred times. Mama don’t like Mrs. Harper, cause once she told Mama I shoulda been her own daughter.

  “Wish we’da had more warning,” Reverend Patrick say, still looking off in the distance. “The mail come here so slow.”

  “Probly cause white folks going through it, making sure don’t nobody send no newspapers or nothing,” Mrs. Harper put in.

  “The letter just got to the church, almost a month old saying she was gone be here today. Then Iain even open it til this morning. It was real short notice.”

  “Go on in the house, and git yourself cleaned up,” Mrs. Harper picks up a box from the bench. “And take these dresses I done brought you from Atlanta.” So I take the dresses and start in the house.

  “Never mind that, it’s too late,” Reverend Patrick stop me, stepping off the porch and taking his hat off his head. The dust rising on the road can be seen pass the tabacca fields, getting closer. “Wonder what she thought of our school?”

  “What’s ‘a name?” I grab the brim of my hat, use to be one of Miemay’s straw field hats, and pull it down over my eyes.

  Seem like Reverend Patrick in shock, he act like he don’t hear me, and nobody move. We all stand silent watching Daddy’s carriage pass Miemay cabin. Putting the box down with the dresses in it, I get down off the porch and pump the trough full of water for Anastasia.

  All while we waiting, I’m thinking bout how Miemay told me I needed to make two dressers and four lamps. She said there was gone be a house guest coming to live for a while. Then for some reason, I thought she was talking bout me living with ‘a. Now I see what Miemay talking bout, this school teacher coming. Then I think on other things Iain pay no attention Miemay say, and I know I got to pay attention for when things change and it’s time to leave.

  Closer they get the more I remember how mad Miemay use to get, when they try to put somebody in ‘a house. Gone have to wear dresses even at home maybe, and talk. Iain much of a talker.

  Soon as they reach the front of my house, folks start moving like a king or queen bout to grace us with they presence. When the door of the carriage open, Isaiah put his hand in to help ‘a down, and I know she a lady. I stand in awe watching all them, expecting to see a white lady even though I done seen ‘a and know she Colored.

  Then the small brown woman, or girl, eases down from the carriage moving like she appreciates, and needs all the assistance and attention afforded her. Wearing a dark grey dress, and belt, with what looks like matching shoes and hat. She is the first woman I ever seen this sharp. Her hair pulled so tight you can see the brush strokes. She steps on the dirt like it’s the first time she ever seen some, holding ‘a dress up like it might soil ‘a shoes.

  “Zay! Jermy! Let’s git these bags,” Daddy order my brothers.

  Mama jump out the carriage by ‘aself. Seem like Isaiah forgot Mama was even in there. Mama in ‘a Sunday best, too. I feel like I should speak proper English. First time I ever felt underdressed, and dirty. Especially since I been in the stables all morning. I can feel everybody else trying to be they best.

  Then again, she gone be living with me. She gone have to get use to this. I got to work in my fields, and I sho ain’t gone be working in no dress.

  “Good afternoon, I’m Reverend Patrick Harper,” he takes the woman’s hand. For a moment, look like he cain’t decide what to do, kiss or shake it. He shake it rough, and I cain’t hide I’m smiling at all the putting on. “Most folks just call me Reverend Patrick.”

  “I’m Coletta Graham, please to meet you Reverend Patrick.” She smile and do this little curtsy.

  “And this my wife, The First Lady of Zion Southern Baptist Church, Mrs. Alice Harper.” He turns towards Mrs. Harper.

  “Most young people call me Mrs. Harper,” she shakes the woman’s hand gentler. “Now what do people call you? Is that Miss or Misses Graham?”

  “Alice?” Reverend Patrick try to hush his wife, but Miss or Misses Graham, however she gone be addressed, is getting ‘a first introduction to Zion. People here gone ask questions. Whatever on they heart usually said and asked, and they feel entitled to have they questions answered.

  “Well?” Mrs. Harper insists, ignoring him and holding the woman’s hand too long. “Is there a Mr. Graham?”

  “Don’t be silly, Alice. Of course she isn’t married.” Reverend Patrick takes the woman’s hand from his wife. “No man would allow his young wife to be travelling alone, and you don’t see no ring on ‘a finger. You don’t have to answer that question, Ms. Graham. What did you think of our school?”

  “I don’t mind answering.” The woman smiles at Mrs. Harper. “There are two Mr. Grahams, my father Coleman Graham and my brother Coleman Graham, Jr.”

  “See Patrick, no harm’s done. A single woman wants that known. How else will eligible men know?” Mrs. Harper gives Reverend a sly grin, then he roll his eyes in response.

  “Bum!”

  We all turn to look at the carriage, and they’ve dropped her trunk on the ground. The teacher seems
worried and I’m tickled cause I know Daddy embarrassed.

  “See! That’s why I told you to let me git a good grip fore you moved it,” Daddy fuss to save face.

  When I see it’s more suitcases, I wonder what all she done brung and how long she staying. I remember how mad Miemay use to get when they use to try and put somebody in ‘a house. She use to say new folks change the spirit of a place, even babies can bring a family together or push folks apart. I’m wondering if she gone make the spirit of my place better or worse.

  “Ms. Graham it is, so we can address you properly.” Mrs. Harper smile, too pleased.

  “Oh, you don’t have to call me Miss, ma’am. I-”

  “We insist,” Mrs. Harper cut ‘a off.

  “We cain’t call our new school teacher, from ___?” Reverend leave it open for Ms. Graham to answer.

  “Atlanta.” She smile uncomfortably.

  “By ‘a first name,” he finish, and Mrs. Harper pick up where he left off.

  “We need to call you something formal for the children. Not to mention, you gone be a role model for our girls and young women. We don’t want them calling you by your first name.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Ms. Graham shrink under the flattery. “I’m just honored I can serve Zion.”

  “Not as honored as we are to have you, sweetie.” Mrs. Harper beams.

  There is a long uncomfortable silence where you can feel the three of them fishing for words. The Reverend stare at me, like I’m spose to say something but Iain got no words for ‘a neither. Mama don’t even try to speak, it’s always been like The Reverend nem above everybody else. This conversation ain’t for us common folk.

  “Madelyn! Pay attention and stop being rude. I swear,” Daddy complain as they lifting trunks up off the back of the carriage.

  “Forgive my rude daughter, Ms. Graham.” Mama bury me the way she always do, and I feel ‘a looking at me.