The Kitchen House Part 24

I helped care for Miss Martha, and in the afternoons I took pleasure in reading to her. Some mornings after I was sure Marshall had left the yard, I ran down for a quick visit to the kitchen house. I knew that those times made Mama uneasy, but I went nonetheless, always hoping to see Belle on her own. She was the one I thought might answer the intimate questions I had about my marriage, but the few times I saw her, others were always with us, plying me with questions about my life in Williamsburg.

We had been home no more than a month, and a routine of dinner drinking had already been established. Without my knowledge, Marshall must have observed me on a morning visit to the kitchen house. At dinner that afternoon my husband nodded for Uncle to refill his gla.s.s, then he took my hand. "So, Lavinia," he said not unpleasantly, "what have you been doing today?"

"Mama and I are doing an inventory of the nursery," I said quickly.

Marshall squeezed my hand, and I realized too late the trap.

"But you were down in the kitchen house. I don't want you down there. Do you understand?"

I tried to pull my hand away, but he continued to press with force. His eyes gleamed at my discomfort.

"But Mama and-" I whispered, glancing back at Uncle Jacob.

"Mama." He spat out the word. "You are my wife. She is Mae to you!"

"Marshall! You're hurting me-"

He continued to squeeze, and I gasped from pain as I tried to free my hand.

"I said you call her Mae! Did you hear me?"

"Yes," I moaned.

When Uncle Jacob slipped from the room, I wanted to call out for him not to leave but dared not. Fortunately, Marshall had released me by the time Uncle returned. I sat stunned, my hand throbbing, while my husband resumed eating.

Suddenly, Mama burst into the room. "'Scuse me, Masta Marshall! Miss Abinia, I need you for helpin' with Miss Martha!"

When she dashed from the room, I rose, alarmed. "I must go," I said, and followed quickly. I rushed up the stairs behind Mama, and when we reached the blue room, she hastily shut the door behind us, then sent me into the bedroom while she stayed behind. Miss Martha, seated in her chair, smiled contentedly at me. f.a.n.n.y stood by her but studied me anxiously. The three of us jumped when we heard loud bangs from the blue room. f.a.n.n.y and I rushed out to find Mama banging a wooden chair against the floor.

"Mama!" I couldn't imagine what she was doing.

She put her fingers to her lips, then whispered for f.a.n.n.y and me to run back into the bedroom. "Like this," she said, stomping both of her feet. "Go, go." She waved us away.

f.a.n.n.y ran heavily, and I wondered if they had both gone mad. Uncle Jacob knocked on the door. "Masta Marshall wantin' to know if he got to send for the doctor."

"No," Mama said, "you tell him that we just need a lil time, that's all." When she came to me, she raised my arm to inspect my swollen hand, and I finally understood. "We gonna have to soak this," she said.

"How did you know?" I whispered.

"He ring that," Mama said. She pointed to the bell and tapestry panel hanging beside Miss Martha's bed. I knew there was a system interconnected throughout the house, but in my experience, it had never been used. "If this ring more than one time, we know that Uncle Jacob callin' for us. We always here to help." Mama's firm look held my eyes. "You understand this?" she asked.

I nodded.

She smoothed my hand. "Why he do this?"

"I'm not to go down to the kitchen house." I fought back tears. "And I must call you Mae."

Mama gave me a long look, and unshed tears burned my throat. "It just a name," Mama said, "but when you calls me Mama, it sayin' too much. You call me Mae, and I come fast as when you call me Mama. The same thing with Papa-you call him George. He Papa to you, that we know, but Masta Marshall don' see it like that." call me Mama. The same thing with Papa-you call him George. He Papa to you, that we know, but Masta Marshall don' see it like that."

When I could speak, I gave Mama my word that I would do as she asked.

LIFE BECAME INCREASINGLY UNEASY AS winter approached. Marshall continued with too much drink at dinner, and I no longer dared go to the kitchen house to see Belle. winter approached. Marshall continued with too much drink at dinner, and I no longer dared go to the kitchen house to see Belle.

Almost always, once he was inebriated, Marshall's focus turned to Will Stephens. The final break between Marshall and Will took place on a hog-killing day in early December. It seemed that Will had promised everyone a feast of fresh pork and a drink of brandy when they finished. Marshall took strong objection, seeing it as an extravagance, though Will argued that the workers not only antic.i.p.ated it but deserved it. Marshall cited this as an example of Will's excess and mismanagement of the farm. When Marshall came for dinner that day, he drank much and ate little. I tried to soothe him, but my comments only seemed to feed his agitation. Why was I standing up for Will Stephens and going against my own husband? he demanded. Was it Will Stephens I was more concerned about?

My face flushed at the suggestion, and with that I gave Marshall new fuel. "So! You have an interest in Will Stephens, is that it?" he shouted. I remained silent, but I could not control the burning of my face. I had seen Will Stephens only twice since my arrival, both times when he was still employed by Marshall. The first time was of an early morning scarcely a week into my return. I was brus.h.i.+ng out Miss Martha's hair, and f.a.n.n.y was changing the linens on the bed. I had turned to draw the blinds up to let in the full measure of daylight when I caught a glimpse of Will as he came out of the horse barn. He was with Ben, and they were laughing. Fury such as I had seldom felt before flooded me, and when I turned back to Miss Martha, I could scarcely control my anger. How dare he be so happy! f.a.n.n.y took note and came to look out the window for herself. "That's Will Stephens walkin' with Ben," she said plainly, as though wondering what had so affected me. herself. "That's Will Stephens walkin' with Ben," she said plainly, as though wondering what had so affected me.

"For heaven's sake, f.a.n.n.y! Anyone can see that."

"You remembers what you say when you lil?"

I was silent, remembering all too well.

"You always say you gonna marry that boy." f.a.n.n.y laughed.

"I was a foolish child!"

f.a.n.n.y stopped laughing. "Maybe not so foolish. Will Stephens a good man."

"Oh, for pity's sake! Must we discuss that man all day?"

f.a.n.n.y, not given to holding in her words, looked me over but said nothing further.

THE SECOND TIME I I SAW SAW Will Stevens was a few weeks later. It was dusk. Again I was at the window, this time studying the purple, pink, and blue of the sky, when Will walked into my vision. I went weak at the sight of him. With his strong shoulders back, he strode with the gait of a man sure of himself. He was on his way to the kitchen house, where I guessed Belle and his son waited for him. I spent the night hating him but comforted myself after settling on a plan of revenge. I vowed that when I finally came face-to-face with Will Stephens, I would hold my head high and look through him as though he did not exist. Will Stevens was a few weeks later. It was dusk. Again I was at the window, this time studying the purple, pink, and blue of the sky, when Will walked into my vision. I went weak at the sight of him. With his strong shoulders back, he strode with the gait of a man sure of himself. He was on his way to the kitchen house, where I guessed Belle and his son waited for him. I spent the night hating him but comforted myself after settling on a plan of revenge. I vowed that when I finally came face-to-face with Will Stephens, I would hold my head high and look through him as though he did not exist.

However, I did not have that opportunity, for this day, he and Marshall had an altercation that ended with Will leaving for his own farm.

I knew trouble lay ahead when Marshall left to vent his anger on Will, who was working in the kitchen yard alongside the people from the quarters. As the argument escalated and then climaxed, Marshall struck Will and knocked him to the ground.

It was Papa George who stepped in and somehow convinced Marshall that the day's work could finish without him. And it was Papa who led him back to the house and settled him by the fire in the study with a bottle of brandy for company.

EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, P PAPA George came to the big house with startling news. During the night Will Stephens had packed up and left for his neighboring farm, taking with him Belle and Jamie, as well as Ben and Lucy and their two children. George came to the big house with startling news. During the night Will Stephens had packed up and left for his neighboring farm, taking with him Belle and Jamie, as well as Ben and Lucy and their two children.

Incensed, Marshall rode into town. Mama and I were at the bedroom window when he returned later in the day. The sheriff rode with him, but what alarmed me was seeing another rider alongside my husband. It was none other than his old friend Rankin. I was about to turn from the window when Mama gasped. I looked again and this time saw a little boy seated on a horse in front of the sheriff. It was Jamie, Belle's son. I took Mama's advice and stayed with Miss Martha as Mama ran from the house to take the crying child from the horseman.

I WAS REQUIRED TO SHARE WAS REQUIRED TO SHARE my afternoon dinner with these men. As Beattie and Uncle served us, we three listened to the men recount how they had taken the child from his frantic mother. Marshall claimed that Will had broken his contract, and furthermore, Jamie, at the least, was his property. Seeing Marshall's delight, I wondered if this was what he had been planning all along. my afternoon dinner with these men. As Beattie and Uncle served us, we three listened to the men recount how they had taken the child from his frantic mother. Marshall claimed that Will had broken his contract, and furthermore, Jamie, at the least, was his property. Seeing Marshall's delight, I wondered if this was what he had been planning all along.

When I could take no more, I declared a headache and excused myself. Once out of the dining room, I slipped out the back door and ran to the kitchen house. Mama frowned when I appeared. Sukey was sitting on a bench holding Jamie in her lap. The little boy was asleep with his thumb in his mouth, so exhausted by his ordeal that he did not disturb himself with his own loud hiccups.

"What can I do?" I asked Mama.

"You best go back," she said.

"Surely there is something I can do."

Mama didn't have an answer, but to my relief, she said she had sent word to Belle that Jamie was safe. I told Mama of my suspicion that Marshall had maneuvered all of this, that he knew the law.

"Will is bound to do something soon," I said to rea.s.sure the both of us. "Surely he won't let Marshall keep his son."

Mama looked at me sharply. "What you say?"

"Will Stephens. If I know him at all, he'll fight for his boy."

Mama's eyes narrowed. "What you mean?" She frowned and looked at me disbelievingly. "You mean you thinkin' ..." She stopped short when Marshall appeared at the door. He wasted no time but came directly over to me and grasped my arm.

"Well," he said, "I see you've recovered." He glanced at Sukey and the still-sleeping Jamie, then glared at Mama. "What foolishness were you talking about with my wife?"

Mama dropped her head, but not before I saw her fear. "Masta Marshall," she said, "I don't know nothin' 'bout foolish talk."

Marshall twisted my arm painfully as he drew me from the kitchen. He turned back to Mama. "I'll sell anybody who brings talk like that up to the big house."

My arm burned. "Marshall! You're hurting me," I said, trying to pull free. I looked to Mama for help, but her eyes were down, and I saw for the first time the true extent of her helplessness.

WE WERE BUT A FEW months into our marriage, and already I knew how troubled it was. Desperate to right things, I doubled my efforts to gain Marshall's goodwill. When I was with my husband, I gave the appearance of being unmindful to anyone but him. I no longer spoke openly to anyone but waited for stolen moments to catch up with the latest news or to hear of a small need that I might be able to satisfy. It was Beattie I felt closest to; she best understood my dilemma, as she witnessed it daily in the dining room. f.a.n.n.y mostly saw to the care of Miss Martha, and though I knew she cared, she remained distant from me. months into our marriage, and already I knew how troubled it was. Desperate to right things, I doubled my efforts to gain Marshall's goodwill. When I was with my husband, I gave the appearance of being unmindful to anyone but him. I no longer spoke openly to anyone but waited for stolen moments to catch up with the latest news or to hear of a small need that I might be able to satisfy. It was Beattie I felt closest to; she best understood my dilemma, as she witnessed it daily in the dining room. f.a.n.n.y mostly saw to the care of Miss Martha, and though I knew she cared, she remained distant from me.

Jamie stayed down in the kitchen house, and my beloved Sukey was often needed there to care for him. I dared not go down to see for myself, but soon I heard of everyone's concern. Beattie confided that Jamie had always been uncommonly attached to Belle. Now, she said, without her, he was becoming increasingly withdrawn.

I feigned indifference when I learned from my husband that Will Stephens had filed papers in court in an attempt to take the child back. Privately, I feared that Marshall's knowledge of the law would enable him to win the battle. I could only imagine Belle's despair. I longed to ease it, to send her words of relief, but I knew how tenuous the situation was, and I certainly knew that I was not in a position to make a bid for the release of her child. would enable him to win the battle. I could only imagine Belle's despair. I longed to ease it, to send her words of relief, but I knew how tenuous the situation was, and I certainly knew that I was not in a position to make a bid for the release of her child.

I was not surprised when Rankin was again brought on as overseer. His att.i.tude toward me while in Marshall's presence was just short of simpering. Away from my husband, however, he let me know that he considered me of little consequence.

I encouraged Marshall to speak to me of the farm, to tell me his plans for the future. One day he informed me that he and Rankin had decided to move away from the diversification of crops, a method Will Stephens had incorporated, and go back to growing only tobacco. In my eagerness to show my interest, I made a mistake and asked if he was not concerned that continued growth of the same crop might not deplete the soil. Marshall instantly became outraged and accused me of defending Will Stephens and his way of doing things. That was not the first time I saw Marshall's jealousy, and I began to wonder if, back in Williamsburg, he had guessed my feelings for Will. I rea.s.sured Marshall of my loyalty to him, but he ended the conversation by telling me to mind the household and leave the business to him. Knowing I had reached an impa.s.se, I agreed. Following that, I kept my conversations with Marshall light and superficial.

WITH HER SCHEDULED DOSES OF laudanum, Miss Martha's days were now routine. What for me was tedious provided structure and balance for her. Mama encouraged her to walk, and though she tired easily, in time she became steadier on her feet. laudanum, Miss Martha's days were now routine. What for me was tedious provided structure and balance for her. Mama encouraged her to walk, and though she tired easily, in time she became steadier on her feet.

Mama, f.a.n.n.y, and Sukey shared in her care, and I fell into a daily habit of coming to see her first thing in the morning and again in the late afternoon. I continued to read to her and at other times sat at her bedside doing my needlework. Miss Martha now spoke, sometimes even using full sentences, though her mind only hovered in reality. I remained Isabelle to her, and it was I who most easily calmed her when she grew agitated.

We had been home a few months when the doctor made a routine visit to see Miss Martha. I remembered Dr. Mense well from my earlier years; he was the same doctor who had treated both the captain during his illness and Miss Martha before she left for Williamsburg. Since I had last seen him, his hair had gone a snowy white. If he remembered me, or if he had misgivings about my new position, he did not show it. After his examination, "Continue on with what you are doing" was his instruction to me, although Mama Mae and f.a.n.n.y were both present.

Since dinner was about to be served, I invited Dr. Mense to stay, and he readily accepted. When Marshall joined us, although he looked surprised to see our guest, he did not appear unhappy. As we dined, Dr. Mense reported his findings to Marshall. Though Marshall had not paid a visit to his mother since our arrival, he gave the impression that he was involved and up to date on Miss Martha's condition. He thanked the doctor and made it clear that he gave all the credit to me for his mother's improved state. When he spoke of his appreciation, his eyes rested on me, but I was no longer certain of his sincerity.

CHAPTER FORTY

Belle

MARSHALL KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING when he takes my boy. You take a baby from a mama, there's nothing more you can do to her. when he takes my boy. You take a baby from a mama, there's nothing more you can do to her.

Will Stephens says he'll do everything he can to get Jamie back. He says, "Whatever you do, Belle, don't go back there. He's waiting for you. If you are on Marshall's property, I can't protect you the same way I can if you are here."

My mind don't move. It just sits there. All I can see is my Jamie screaming. Two days, two nights, I don't cry, I don't talk.

When Ben comes, he says, "Belle, don't worry. You know Mama takin' good care of Jamie."

I just look at Ben. I don't say nothing, because if I do, I say, "What do you know? You still got your two boys! Maybe you give one of your boys to Marshall so I can get my Jamie back?" But I don't say nothing. I just tell him to go away.

Then Lucy comes. First time she's here in my kitchen house. "Belle," she says, "I know you and me, we each got a side of Ben, pullin' on him. But here, at Will Stephens's place, you and me got to work to get along. I know what Jamie is to you. You take my boys, same as takin' my life. I come here to let you know I stand alongside you now."

Lucy's big like Mama, and when she puts her arms around me, I start to cry. I cry for Jamie. Then I cry for Mama and for Papa, too. I cry for my kitchen house, I even cry for the cap'n. "Everything's gone," I say. "Everything's gone."

"No," Lucy says, "Jamie still here. So is Mama and Papa. They just livin' on the other side of the trees. You got to stand up, Belle.

For sure your boy comin' back, and when he do, he needin' you strong." For sure your boy comin' back, and when he do, he needin' you strong."

At dark, Ben comes to see me again. He says Lucy sends him to me. She tells him that I need him. Maybe all this time I got Lucy wrong.

That same night Papa comes, following the creek. He comes fast, puffing and having to sit before he can talk.

Ben says, "Papa, next time there's news, maybe you oughta send Ida's boy, Eddy. He know the way, and he get caught, he know how to keep his mouth shut."

Papa says, "Son, you say I'm gettin' too old to get over here?"

Ben says, "Papa, I'm sayin'... well, yup, I guess I'm sayin' you gettin' old."

They laugh like old friends. Papa says, "Belle, Jamie doin' just fine. Everybody watchin' over him. Marshall don't have nothin' to do with him. Beattie now livin' in the kitchen house, and she keep Sukey and Jamie with her. Everybody watchin' out for Jamie." Papa look down, fool with his hands, then say, "But Rankin back. Down at the quarters, they all tryin' to stay one step ahead of that debil. And Abinia got her own trouble up at the big house. Marshall drinkin' real hard."

After Papa tells me that Jamie's doing all right, I settle some. I'm gonna wait to see how things go. For sure, though, if Jamie don't come back, I'll go get him myself, then I'll take him and run.

Next day I get back to work and get this kitchen house set up. Ben and Lucy got their own cabin, and they're both gonna work the fields. Will Stephens is building a big house. Maybe when he's done, I'll ask Will if Lucy can work the big house with me.

I work hard, then after a week, I can't take no more and go to see my boy. I follow the water up, go past the quarters, and stay down in the trees. Sure enough, there's my four-year-old boy, sitting out by the kitchen house, looking around like he's wanting his mama. I bite my own hand so I don't call, "Jamie, Jamie, I'm here," but right then Sukey comes out to give him something to drink. She's playing with him when I see Marshall over at the horse barn. Sukey sees him, too, and real quick she takes Jamie into the kitchen house and closes the door. barn. Sukey sees him, too, and real quick she takes Jamie into the kitchen house and closes the door.

Going home, I can hardly walk for crying. But then I remember something. I know where Papa keeps the gun down in the barn, and I know where he keeps the key. That settles me. Marshall does anything to my boy, BAM! he's good as dead.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Lavinia