Chapter 1
New Orleans 1810, Gerard Plantation
"Keep pushing Tituba!" I ordered the slave girl, and my friend, in labor as she strains to give birth. "That's it! Almost there, just one more big push." Giving it her all, asmall cry is heard throughout the room. Smiling down at the baby in my arms, I wrap him in a blanket and hand him to Tituba. "It's a boy." I say excitedly, as the young slave looks down at her son. "Have youa name for him?" This causes her to sadden. "No ma'am. The fever is in the air, Miss Lizzie. I will name him at 10, when the sickness is sure to pass." I nod in understanding. The fever has claimed many lives in Louisiana, without a cure. I do not blame my friend for the fear of losing her child. "Until then, I shall call him, Little Gerard." She smiles at the baby in her arms, before holding him out to me. I take him in my arms, looking at her with curiosity. "I am tired, will you please watch over him as I sleep?" I smile and agree. She lays down and closes her eyes to rest. I sit down on the ground, next to her bed, and start singing to Little Gerard.
Constant as the stars above
Always know that you are loved
And my love shining in you
Will help you make your dreams come true
Will help your dreams come true
The lamb lies down and rests it's head
On it's mother's downy bed
Dolphin plays in the moonlight's glow
And butterfly dreams of a violet rose
Dreams of a violet rose
I'll cradle you in my arms tonight
As sun embraces the moonlight
The clouds will carry us off tonight
Our dreams will run deep like the sea
Our dreams will run deep like the sea
Constant as the stars above
Always know that you are loved
And my love shining in you
Will help you make your dreams come true
Will help your dreams come true.
As I look down at Little Gerard, Tituba's voice startles me. "Promise me something, Miss Lizzie?" Confusion fills me as I look at her. "Promise me, that if I should pass, that you would watch over my son. Take him as your own." All I felt was shock at her words, but then, I felt both honored and saddened by her request. "I promise you, Tituba, that Little Gerard will be treated as my own." She nods and falls asleep. I stand, and place Little Gerard next to his mother,before leaving the slave quarters and head inside my home, to my room.