Hey ya'll just giving a warning this is a slave story! It has some harsh language so do not read, especially if stories about slavery or enslavement disgusts you and/or makes you feel sad or angry. Anyways this chapter starts out fairly slow... so bear with it... or x out the tab it doesn't matter. Welp Thank you, and happy reading.
Louisiana (Baton Rouge) 1838
It was a beautiful day. The spring flowers were just at their peak, the lush grass moved highly when the southern breeze wisped by. The swampy waters gave birth to swampy trees, those trees stood tall, their flexible branches shimmered slightly as the wind combed through their relaxed spanish moss that dangled from every tree, vying for attention. The fields of cotton were hot and filled with an overwhelming amount of slaves. The Grant Plantation was the biggest in Louisiana. Their lineage and family name dated back for centuries. Everyone in all of the south knew of the Grant Plantation as he was a respected man who was Governor of Louisiana, he wanted to run for President but with his marriage he would never be sworn in. He just had to settle for now and hope one day his son, Fitzgerald Grant III would bring the Grant name to the White House.
"Hello, darling." Big Gerry as the slaves and everyone in the south referred to him whispered in his wife's ear. He pressed the front of his body to her back and exhaled. He was working himself to the bone trying to make his late father and grandfather proud.
His wife turned around in his arms and smiled. Her shimmering white teeth contrasted so beautifully with her dark chocolate complexion.
Her name was Ernestine.
One would think a black wife to a white man would be much disrespected, but not Ernestine.
She was the most beautiful woman in Louisiana and commanded attention from any man, no matter what race. With the lightest brown eyes and an island accent that followed. They desired her taste and touch. They fantasized about running the pads of their fingertips along the soft freckles of her cheeks, down to the dip of her dimples right before making her laugh to put them on display; to her strong jaw line that proceeded to her slender neck.
Her hair was braided individually down her back to display her experience in life, as she never let a blade run across any of her wispy strands.
She was a Queen and even the white women knew it. She didn't settle for being just a man's wife, like other southern belles but having grown up a slave saw lying around as pure laziness.
She was active in all of the activities with the ladies in town and often was invited to galas and balls.
But most importantly she was the active president of the Junior League of Louisiana.
Her job was to open up her home and host meetings for the other women in her Baton Rouge.
Other women that held similar titles to what Ernestine Grant has in other states, only invited rich, prissy wives as only status and the fear of neighbors whispers ignited a hurried need to shun everyone that was not a part of their class.
welcomed any and everybody, white and black, and white women came. At first the only white woman to come was a cousin of Big Gerry's but word spread like wildfire and soon racial prejudices and stereotypes left the black name, if only for Ernestine.
She was originally a house slave for the Grants. Initially, their great-great-great grandfather came from Italy in search for a better life.
Being an immigrant himself he knew better than whip or hurt a man because of his skin color, or race. His ancestors were captured and that black man had no control over whose womb he would have came from. Giovanni Leonardo Grant Mancini taught his children how to treat others, taught them how to treat "slaves" but he saw them as equal. With discipline to keep them working.
He knew he was wrong for owning slaves in the first place but told of himself repeatedly that he was helping them. Treating them with kindness, teaching them how to read secretly and even holding seasonal olympic games. Everyone tended to grow tired from the constant cycle of harvesting crops and picking cotton, so one year Giovanni decided to introduce latin culture to the slaves, and his family. Everyone, even the women, with swollen bellies ready to go into labor hushed the offspring that vacated in their wombs to participate in these fun and exciting games. This was a time to look forward to. They included boxing, wrestling, horse racing, running, javelin throwing, disc tossing, and swimming.
That became a Grant tradition every year the summer Olympic games would be held and other plantation owners were encouraged to come, bring their best slaves and compete. The winner of a category would take $200 worth of the owners main crop/production. In this case the Grant family would give $200 in cotton if they lost, but rarely did that ever happen. It was a fun activity that other plantation owners looked forward to and betting on their slaves gave them great pleasure. The only rule they had to follow under the Grant household was to be respectful of all. Including slaves. Many turned their head away at these rules, smacking the back of their properties head and cursing loudly for not winning the games, they were escorted kindly out of the Grant estate, never to be called back again.
So many white people had an undying hatred for their inferior slaves, and one would think the Grant family would get more shit for their, Nigger Loving selves, but they were so rich and held so much influence that no one would dare go against them. With Grant's connections and the intelligence of his whole estate combined, his slaves and others before him who were brought up in the Grant estate basically created every modern day device with math and sciences to help them with their hard labor. Grant sold these inventions with the family name on them and when asked always took pride in the work of his slaves, as he saw himself as their father, their leader, and their teacher.
"Hello, darling." Ernestine mocked with her head slightly tilted to the right while she gazed in her husband's eyes.
Big Gerry gave Ern a soft kiss on her plump lips and stopped when he heard a screech.
Ern smiled against Big Gerry's lips and they both chuckled. They broke the kiss gently and turned to a horrified Fitzgerald Grant III.
"Ewwwwww." Fitz drew out and shook his head while attempting to run away.
"Get over here!" Ern huffed as she grabbed Fitz up in her arms swiftly. "Give momma some kisses."
Fitz screamed as his mother and father attacked his face with kisses. Ern held him tight to her bosom and squeezed disappointed in her sons rapid growth.
"You're getting very big Fitzgerald, have you been sneaking sweets?"
"No, Aibileen just gives them to me, if I ask nicely." Fitz smiled and batted his eyes. He gave that look that no mother could refuse of her baby boy.
Although Fitz was turning eight this month she would always cuddle him like her baby.
"Mother, please let me go I wish to go play with my friends."
With a wet kiss on the cheek, Ern put Fitz down.
The minute his italian leather covered feet hit the ground he was off and headed towards the fields.
His face lit up when he saw his best friend, Olivia.
"Hello Livvie!"
"Hello, Fitzy!" Olivia giggled because she knew it got on his nerves when people called him that.
She didn't know this but he didn't mind as much when she called him that.
"Let's go out to the swamps!" Fitz said excitedly while hugging Olivia. He got to see her everyday, but she was never allowed to sleep in his room for a sleepover. Olivia's mother, Maya worked in the Big House, so she slept downstairs along with a couple of kitchen staff that had to get up in early mornings.
Olivia liked to sleep in her own home. A respectably comfortable but small shack where about 50 others resided. There were about 4 - 5 people that vacated just one of these shacks, but after a while they didn't seem to mind.
Olivia loved to be tucked in to bed by the deep raspy tone of her father. She cuddled with her older brother, Samuel and he rocked her back and forth.
They both grew relaxed under the smooth vibrating wave of their fathers expressive yet soothing voice.
Big Gerry had taught him how to read, so every so often he'd acquire a new book to change things up during the night routine. Olivia's sister was married. Her name was Abigail, she worked in the fields by day and lived in a shack with her husband.
Olivia was mad when her beloved sister moved out, but her big brother Sam took no time in distracting her.
"On an adventure?" Olivia asked curiously.
"Yes."
Olivia nodded and got up from the grass which she was making dolls out of.
"Olivia when we get back can you please make me one?" Fitz said pointing to her corn husked, grassy doll whose arms were tied together by stretchy weeds.
"Yes." Olivia nodded proudly, keen to share her work with yet another friend.
Olivia quickly pushed down Fitz and started to run. "Race you there!"
Fitz got up and kicked off his shoes, he began to run after Olivia and felt the slick blades of freshly cut grass skim the bottom of his virgin feet. This connection with nature made him feel a tingling sensation, and his feet picked up even faster. He caught up with Olivia but at the first sign of losing she made it her mission to prevail and run even faster.
She made it to the swamp and dragged her feet in so the water pushed back every step she took as she caught her breath.
Fitz followed her motions and they stood silently listening to the rasp of the flies, the chirp of crickets, and the swoop of bird's wings as they called out to their lovers.
Fitz saw Olivia's hand as it dangled next to her side. She was watching a dragonfly jump from lily pad to lily pad, her attention fully captivated.
Fitz slid his soft hand into her rough, more calloused hands. She reminded him slightly of his mother. Who used to work in the fields for a great bit and still wears yellow stained palms, thick with bubbly scars from picking cotton.
The sun dried up her hands and made the a lazy saxophone yellow imprint, forever scaring her palm.
He didn't want that for Olivia. She was too beautiful, too amazing to ever endure the long days his mother had to.
Everytime he thought about her picking another plant of cotton his eyes watered.
FLASHBACK
One day about a few months ago Olivia's brother was sick. He couldn't even leave bed he was vomiting everywhere. Olivia didn't want him to get in trouble for not picking his daily weight of cotton, so she went into the fields. She picked and plucked until her hands were red with blood.
Fitz came out that day like every other to play with her only he didn't see her waiting for him in the grass, so he went to search.
He asked her father whom was nursing Samuel back to health, and he asked her sister who was cooking lunch for her husband, but no one knew where she was.
He went to the fields and asked around.
An old man whose name was Jim, pointed to large plants of cotton with thick, dried fingers when Fitz asked him.
Fitz looked along the line of his finger and saw a struggling Olivia determined at her task ahead.
He ran over and immediately saw the blood covering her hands. She was crying.
She tried to keep quiet, not to disturb anyone.
Fitz was seething in anger.
He wondered how his friend could do this to herself.
He yelled at her and they got into a heated argument.
Finally he took the matter into his own hands and went to Olivia's father. He requested some natural ointment, used on usually new cotton pickers, when their hands are pure and have never endured the prickling pain of a sacred thorn.
He sprinted back to Olivia.
Dried off her hands with a nearby cloth that laid across the red brick of a nearby well.
She hissed repeatedly but clenched her teeth together in an attempt to stay strong.
Olivia flinched when she felt a sting, and then another. She opened her eyes to see Fitz was crying.
His salty tears splashed into her vulnerable cuts.
"Why are you crying?" Olivia asked.
"Because Livvie, you're hurt." Fitz wiped his tears and continued at the task at hand.
He dipped two of his small fingers in the tub of ointment and rubbed the thick sheen through his palms.
Gently, he spread it onto Olivia's palms and massaged them softly.
Only stopping when he heard her wince. He willed himself to stop crying like Olivia did and channel the strength he wished was naturally bestowed to him. His quite mews came to staggered sniffles.
"Promise me you will NEVER pick cotton again!"
"Fitz you do not understand, my brother does and my daddy."
"Olivia my mom is like you." Fitz pressed up his finger to her forearm in attempts to remind her of his lineage.
Although Fitz was fair in complexion he was still half black.
"Olivia I am like you."
"No, you are like them... Fitz you will never be whipped."
Fitz sighed and gave her a hug like the ones his mother gives him.
"I will never let anyone lay a whip to your back!" Fitz announced loudly for any and everyone to hear.
Many cotton pickers heard Fitz's claim and shook their head, others smiled softly and wanted to believe deep down that he would never let that happen.
The Grant family was known for their kindness, but if certain things were to happen Big Gerry was not afraid to show his authority.
He knew he shouldn't hurt his property but he had to be their boss to remind them that he was not their friend, he had to make sure they knew their level of life was below his to make sure their production was met to the south's needs.
PRESENT
Fitz continued to hold her hand.
"Olivia I got you a birthday present." The words rushed out of Fitz's mouth before he could take them back.
Olivia squealed with delight and let go of Fitz's hand while forcibly tackling him to the ground and laying on top of him while holding him in a bear hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Olivia chanted loudly but was quickly shushed by Fitz.
"Olivia, you mustn't know what I have told you! Mother told me not to tell you, but I cannot keep any secrets from you."
Olivia smiled and shut her lips, she sat up on both of her knees while looking at him expectedly.
Fitz failed to understand her commanding look so she finally let out a long breathe and inched toward his ear.
"What did you get me?"
Olivia was 6 years old and turning 7 in less than a week. It had been one of the most popular topics of conversation for almost two months now. Fitz's birthday was a day after her's they were a year, and one day apart.
"I can't tell you." Fitz giggled and put his hand to his mouth to trap his mischievous laughter in.
"Okay, then I won't tell you what I am getting you for your birthday."
Olivia looked in the opposite direction of Fitz and criss crossed her arms in a defensive position.
"Okay Livvie all I can tell you is I got you a very special necklace. It was made by… um mother says… agarwood. It was shipped all the way from Asia."
Fitz used his hands to get his point across. His animated gestures only served to light Olivia's face up even more.
"Now, what did you get me?" Fitz charmed with his signature sly smile.
"You know how my father brought be to the shops last week?"
"Yes."
"Well… I found a rare pin… and I can't tell you anymore because it's a secret."
Fitz was pleased and both smiled and stared into eachothers eyes.
"Fitz!" A loud voice brought both of them out of their trance and they ran toward the calling.
"What are you's chiltin doin down here? Massa wants you in the Big House Fitzgerald, and you." The elder man pointed to Olivia.
"You get on your sunday best we's have a guest."
"Yes'm" Both said simultaneously and hurried to get ready for the important guest.
"Massa! Someone is coming to the house, did you invite a guest?" Jonathan, the south's most talented blacksmith who also happened to be Big Gerry's slave inquired.
"No, you know we have to leave in a few days I am trying to spend time with my family before the long journey."
"Would you like me to send them back?"
"No Johnathan, let them come the lord says, to welcome others with open arms. That is what we will always do."
Jonathan nodded and went back to his workshop.
The dust was rising from the dried, dirt ground. The wooden wheels turned and as the coachman whipped the long, strong chaffed back of the horses.
The slaves working in the fields and in the front gardens of the house stopped working to look at the carriage approaching, and after they realized there was no wind to relieve them of the sun's continuous lashing as they observed the arrival of this mysterious guest, they continued their task at hand.
After a drawn out and much anticipated approach the coachman stopped the horses.
Ernestine was already out on the porch having heard loud whispers of someone's arrival and stood out front ready to greet the visitor.
The coachman opened the doors of the carriage and as he opened the doors, steps came out so a long legged, pale frame dressed in only Europe's finest could exit the car while not savagely jumping down.
As soon as the woman exited the carriage Big Gerry knew who it was and was excited more than ever.
"There's my beautiful sister!" Big Gerry screamed for all the world to hear.
Elizabeth Grant was one of the three children their parents brought into the world… sadly their middle sibling, their brother Charles passed at the age of 10 from scarlet fever.
"Tommy!" Elizabeth yelled with an even bigger voice than her brothers and ran over to him without a second thought. Her coachman behind her struggling with carrying all of her belongings.
Ernestine eyed Elizabeth Grant up and down suspiciously.
Thomas was Big Gerry's middle name, no one called him 'Tommy' but she guessed it was just a family thing.
She had never met his sister because she lived in Paris ever since Big Gerry took over the family plantation.
When she heard he had a child and was openly sleeping with a black woman she became disgusted.
Her father taught them how to treat niggers in a nice way, but their mother never liked them.
She followed her mother's silent advice and courted only with those of a respectable gene pool.
A sleek blue blooded, family was what she wanted, not the mixing of races.
Elizabeth jumped on Big Gerry and he welcomed her hug as he held her tight to his chest and didn't let her go.
After a minute she opened her eyes, feet still off the ground hanging on to her brother's shoulders and caught the direct gaze of a woman who immediately reminded her of an queen just in a darker form.
Maybe the reincarnation of Cleopatra.
She patted Big Gerry's shoulders and he got the memo.
He gently put her down with a smile on his face and she gave one back.
"What are you doing here, little sis?"
"I wanted to see you. It's been over 13 years and I needed to come back for a bit."
"How was Paris? How are you? You look simply exquisite, Toby! Toby!"
"Yes, massa."
"Toby go get Fitz right now!" Big Gerry walked over to Toby and whispered, "Tell everyone to get on their sunday best, we have a very special guest."
Toby hurried across the vast land, wobbling to children playing in the grass.
"Tell everybody massas sister is here, we are to be dressed like we do on Sunday. Go tell everyone."
The four kids got up and began to deliver the news.
Toby wobbled on his leg. He couldn't help it. During his time with his former slave owner he'd attempted to run away with a couple of others, sadly he was caught by a slave catcher, and his leg found itself in between the teeth of a dog. It never healed properly after that.
But that was before Fitzgerald Grant II bought him.
He traveled to the swamp where many women would wash clothes and where some people would bathe when they had the chance to.
He flicked back the brush and saw an inappropriate scene.
Olivia's sunbaked sun cocooned into Fitz's soft palm.
He interrupted them at once, "What are you's chiltin doin down here? Massa wants you in the Big House Fitzgerald, and you."
The children jumped. They looked as though they were caught stealing from a cookie jar.
"You get on your sunday best we's have a guest."
Both compiled and ran with red embarrassment marking their sunkissed faces.
"How about you rest from your long journey before you meet the whole family?" Big Gerry said nervously as he eyed his watch. He was the only one with Elizabeth and it was quiet with only his house slaves tending to their wants.
"I slept my whole way here, although my fragile frame is quite sore, I would very much like to meet your family-"
"Fitzgerald, honey, I-." Ernastein walked in interrupting. "Oh, hello." Ernestine said with an even and welcoming tone.
"And who are you?" Elizabeth couldn't help herself but who was this nigger and why was she referring to her brother as "honey"?
"Lizzie do not talk to my wife in that manner please."
Now, Elizabeth really couldn't hide her disgust as her face contorted into multiple folds while her eyes bulged, her lips ran downward like lipstick dripping off a clowns wet face. Her frown completed the point that blatantly came across.
Elizabeth cleared her throat and bit her tongue.
Ernastein looked at Elizabeth's normal antics and walked over to Big Gerry.
She pecked at his pink lips and sat in a chair eyeing Elizabeth. She wanted to move from this awkward stage and show Elizabeth that she was just as human as her.
Elizabeth let go of her tongue. "Isn't marrying a nigger illegal?"
Big Gerry gasped as Ernestine's face remained in a poker. Her lips stayed unmoved.
"Elizabeth! Apologize to her now!"
The tone, and bass of his authoritative voice did not intimidate Elizabeth as she saw right through him. He was weak.
"I am… sorry-"
"Ernestine, people call me Ernie for short, and to answer your ignorant question, yes marrying a beautiful, dark skinned african woman like me is very illegal in this here south, but it turns out if you show the southern court, Genesis 1 chapter 27 and John 13:34 as well as every other passage about human equality and pay them a great deal of cash, it suddenly becomes legal."
Elizabeth was dumbstruck at how smooth and eloquently Ernestine talked.
Her face gave her inner thoughts away, yet again.
She bit her tongue for the second time that day.
She underestimated this… "thing" and now she was looking less educated, but she wasn't going to let that bring down her mood she loved her brother and she was not in the mood to be bothered by such a barbaric animal.
"Honey, dear did you need something when you came in?" Big Gerry stroked his wife's hand with such tenderness and looked into her eyes with such care that Elizabeth became first, uncomfortable, then secondly it turned into anger. No man ever looked at her in such a manner.
"Yes, I have the last meeting of the month tomorrow and I wanted to know if you'd like me to cancel because we have such an important guest here."
Ernastein smiled at Elizabeth and winked.
'Why is she being so nice?' Elizabeth had to ask herself and the as the answer was formulating in her mind all thoughts went to the back lost in a sudden exclamation, "Hi, I'm Fitz!"
Elizabeth looked up to see a bright, blue eyed, skinny, suntanned, blonde boy.
Elizabeth could tell he was Ernestine'[s from the smooth, almost light peanut butter tan he sported.
The breath in Elizabeth's throat caught.
"Hi, Fitz." She looked him up and down. He was the spitting image of his father, he would've been just perfect if he was 100% purebred.
"Fitz, go give your Aunt Elizabeth a hug." Big Gerry directed and smiled to ease away any tension Fitz may have felt.
Fitz inched towards the woman and opened his small arms while leaning forward.
Elizabeth reciprocated holding in a cringe and embraced him slightly.
"Hi, Fitz." Elizabeth wasn't too opposed to learning the interests of her nephew and began slightly gaging his interests.
"I have some toys from Paris that I brought along incase your daddy had any children while I was away, and since he did would you like to see them?"
"Yes!"
Fitz was overjoyed with excitement at the mention of toys.
"Wait, Lizzie you never told us how Paris was."
"It began good, great even, but after a while it was hell." Elizabeth scowled and followed it up with, "Maybe at dinner I could properly explain all of the details."
"That would be great." Everyone smiled and Elizabeth followed the main house slave Tom to where he placed her belongings.
"Wow! You are only…" Fitz counted off the rooms, "Three rooms away from mine!"
"After I show you the toys, may I see your room?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Call me Aunt Elizabeth." She smiled and led Fitz to her room.
She unlocked her biggest bag and ruffled through her belongings.
After a minute or so she pulled out wooden toy figures and a porcelain doll.
"Here is a train set and you can have these wooden animal figures as well."
"Thank you so much Aunt Elizabeth! Can I give some of these toy animals to my friends?"
"Of course." Elizabeth said distracted as she was putting some belongings back into her bag.
"Hey Auntie!"
Elizabeth's actions froze and she looked over to see what he wanted.
"You're putting away that doll… can I have it?"
"Fitz, dolls are for girls, don't be silly."
"It's not for me, it's for my best friend, she's a princess! And sometimes when we play I'm the prince!" Fitz continued his ramble, " I don't like dolls but she is getting me a birthday present and I want to give her more for her birthday because she's got a big surprise for mine"
Elizabeth looked at him and guessed she wouldn't care if he gave it to a fair lady that he seems infatuated by.
"You like this girl don't you?"
"She's my best friend."
Fitz smiled, not knowing the other meaning of his Aunts question.
"Alright give it to her, but make sure the doll is cared for. I got it in Germany and it costed an arm and a leg, they haven't even started selling them to people." Elizabeth finished her rant with, "Now please leave I must rest."
"But don't you want to see my ro-"
"Fitz!"
Fitz jumped, startled by her sharp and loud tone, he backed away. His lip started to quiver from the sudden tone change and tears threatened to spill as he thought he upset her.
"I said please leave, now get you toys and go."
Her voice was cold and scared Fitz to no end he stacked his arms up full with toys but was struggling to get everything.
He left the room to transport the toys, but right as he crossed the threshold of the door and hallway floor he was relieved to see the face of Tom, standing right outside the door waiting. Tom took some of the toys out of Fitz's tired arms and set them in Fitz's room.
He then knocked on Elizabeth's door and asked if he could come in and gather up the remaining gifts for Fitz.
She let him in and the moment his left foot swiveled out of her room she slammed the door as a sign of dismissal and a warning of, "DO NOT DISTURB"
"Livvie!"
Olivia briefly stopped braiding the hair on her corn husk doll and looked behind her seeing the person who called her name, her best friend.
She looked beautiful in a white cotton dress that had blue squares sowed into it. The patches represented protection, as the unholy spirits would not touch them, unable to penetrate such pure souls from this intricate stitching.
Fitz's hands were behind his back, but this did not draw Olivia's attention because Fitz tended to do so when nervous, quite frequently actually.
Olivia didn't respond, but just remained eye contact with him instead.
She tried to keep a poker face, but his growing grin made her lips stretch upwards as well.
Fitz took a few steps toward her.
His voice was just a whisper when he said, "I have an early birthday present for you."
Olivia's eyes lit up as she stood up. Fitz's feet remained grounded.
"What is it?"
"Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Close... your... eyes." His voice was firm and she obeyed his command.
He took the doll from around his back and brushed the hair of it on her forearm.
Olivia giggled as this action excited her even more.
"Open."
Olivia opened her eyes and saw a pale porcelain doll. The long brunette hair on the doll brushed against Olivia's soft brown skin.
She looked into Fitz's eyes asking for permission. He granted. She took the doll from him and smiled, she was so happy.
"Thank you so much Fitz! She's so pretty!" She looked over the doll who wore a pale pink dress, black leather shoes, and pearly white ruffled church socks.
"Anything for you Livvie, my Aunt Elizabeth gave it to me. She's here from Paris and brought me a lot of toys I'm going to give some to everyone else, I can't wait for you to meet her… but she's kind of mean."
"She sounds very nice and she is probably tired or hungry."
Fitz nodded in agreement.
"Come on." Olivia took Fitz's hand and they left the garden and went to the house they called, "The Big House". The wooden floors creaked when their feet padded the stairs up to his room. They gathered all the toys except for a wooden Yo-Yo that Fitz was intrigued by.
After giving the other children on the plantation gifts Olivia and Fitz felt happy. They smiled and watched intrigued as the others shouted and giggled with their new toys in hand.
DINNER
Big Gerry flipped his wrist for what seemed like the tenth time that night at the dinner table, eyeing the small hand on his watch.
Every house slave was lined up, in their assigned places since the beginning of time it felt like.
They stood looking forward and waited with patient hands that were covered in white gloves, as if the white purified and penetrated through such black skin to be able to appropriately serve the more superior race. The house slaves who were men only held the job of setting the tablecloth and the dining pieces on the table. After they placed everything in its assigned position the headmaster of the men, Benjamin directed them all out to fulfil their duties in the kitchen as dinner was about to commence. Then the women came in single file and were watched by their overseer Aibileen. The best cook in the South and the Grants had to have her. There were all women remaining in the room after they completed their routine table set up. The plates were china, the outlines looked as if they were dipped in gold. The room matched the china and mirrored the rich creamy gold as the drapes and walls begged for attention while wearing such an elegant color. The chairs were wooden, freshly polished with seamed-in gold cushing. There were paintings hanging from every wall. Most were gifts from previous clients and/or people who have completed proper business with the Big Gerry himself. Above the table, hung a large golden chandelier that shimmered with diamonds. Everytime someone swung open the door that was attached to the kitchen and the dining room, the glare of the wooden fire would catch the diamonds eye and sparkle extra bright. Only the women remained in the dining room at this point except for Tom who directed the females if there ever was a mishap that was to occur. He stood at the door between the kitchen and the dining room at all times.
"I'm hungry daddy." Fitz said as he watched the last wave of steam leave the mashed potatoes.
"I know son. Hey Tom!"
"Yes'm Massa." He nodded his head and waited for his Master's request.
"You told her 6 O'clock right?"
Big Gerry had already asked this question several times but as time passed he thought the answer might somehow change.
"Yes'm Massa I's tol her and she was getin ready when I went up there."
"Daddy want me to go get her?"
"No, son that would be rude."
Ernestine eyed him suspiciously. He never stopped from voicing his opinions when she may have been running late.
'What kind of hold does she have on you Fitzgerald?' Ernestine asked herself.
After about 5 more minutes she got up from the table to fetch Elizabeth when she heard heals click on the wooden stairs.
She remained standing. She stood next to Tom, her hands clasped and eyes watching Elizabeth as she descended the stairs.
Elizabeth caught her eyes and hid a smirk still taking her sweet time descending the stairs.
Ernestine did not let up though and she waited patiently. When Elizabeth got down the stairs she swiftly glided over to Big Gerry and stole Ernestine's seat.
Ernestine rolled her eyes and sat next to Fitz.
"My apologies for being late." Elizabeth clutched her chest over exaggeratedly. "I just wanted to look my best." She smiled at Big Gerry and fluffed her freshly curled hair and slowly smoothed out her large, victorian powder pink dress with a long slit down her bosom that displayed an ungodly amount of cleavage.
"Anything for my beautiful sister." Big Gerry smiled.
"The serving may begin." There were a couple of condiments on the table already but the meat, bread, and wine had yet to be present.
The men in the kitchen came out with expensive dishes filled with home cooked beautiful food.
After placing everything in the designated place the wine was brought out of the kitchen and handed to the women servers who now held the duty of serving for the rest of the meal.
Big Gerry grabbed Elizabeth's hand and reached for Fitz's. Ernestine was diagonal from him so he nodded to Elizabeth.
"We are to say grace."
"Of course." Elizabeth looked in the direction of Ernestine's dark hand and inhaled sharply.
She opened her palm and Ernestine deposited her rough fingers onto Elizabeth's soft palm.
Elizabeth shivered thinking of how many diseases she would get from being in direct contact of an African. While Ernestine listened to the prayer her lovely husband was reciting.
"Amen."
Big Gerry finished and all who sat at the table mimicked and whispered that beloved word as to agree with the prayer that was just voiced.
"Please excuse me, I must go to the washroom, please start to eat I'll only be a minute."
Big Gerry nodded to Elizabeth and she exited the room.
"Ger." Ernestine whispered.
Big Gerry looked up and smiled. He was so happy to see a family member of his, he was almost hysterical.
"Yes, my love!" Big Gerry sang in a deep tone.
Ernestine smiled and almost giggled at his silly actions. She was going to tell him about the not so friendly vibe she was getting from his sister but seeing his face and his free spirit making faces at Fitz while eating his food made her question if her standoffishness was just from the long, tedious ride over and lack of sleep that she has been missing out on in the last few months.
Meanwhile in the bathroom Elizabeth washed and scrubbed the skin on her left hand over and over with bar of white soap that was available for the guests.
'I hope that nigga gal and her son don't use this soap.' She thought to herself as the cold water ran onto her soapy palms. She'd have to properly soak herself with hot water before bed.
Dinner was finished and they were moving onto dessert as Big Gerry decided to break the news to his sister.
"Elizabeth, I'm sorry, but you came at the wrong time. I have a business transaction that calls to my attention. And also I will be on the move campaigning for another term as governor. I must leave in four days time."
Elizabeth faked a frown.
"But where must you go?"
Big Gerry smiled softly and rested a reassuring hand on Elizabeth's thigh.
"I am leaving to Pike Mississippi. Don't worry it will only take a journey for less than two months. I will be back before you no it."
"Daddy, I don't want you to leave! Can I come?" Before Big Gerry could respond he spit out another suggestion, "Can Livvie come to?"
Elizabeth's ears perked up at the nickname. Ernestine smiled and knew her boy was gonna be a troublemaker.
"No, son. Not this year... when you turn 10… for your 10th birthday I will bring you alongside with me and Jonathan. You must learn how to be a man before traveling on horse, ok?"
"Dad! I'm going to be the King of Louisiana just like you when I grow up."
"Exactly! You're the prince right now, I am the king, so what I say goes."
"Olivia's gift was actually delivered today would you like to see it?"
"Yes Daddy! I just know she'll love it!" Fitz screamed with joy and jumped up and down, only ceasing immediately after catching eyes with his not so happy mother.
She said, 'Fitz, stop.' With her eyes and so he did, sat down and looked at his father with wondrous eyes.
Elizabeth's confused look didn't go unnoticed by Big Gerry.
"He's got a little thing for a girl." He whispered.
"Dad! No I don't she's my best friend. Aunt Elizabeth she's the girl who I gave the doll to."
Elizabeth looked around and asked, "There are other white children on this plantation? Why I know I haven't been here for long, but I'd like to meet everyone."
"No, Livvie's not white she's black, she's real pretty and she's really nice, she plays in the flowers in the garden so when I play with her she always smells like them."
Elizabeth had to hide her shocked look, but then again he was half inbread, and they tend to hold attraction to their own, although it seemed her brother's blood really ran thick, almost concealing this mixed identity.
"Come on Fitz, excuse me ladies, Ern, why don't you show Liz around the estate and to the staff and everybody, I have to show Fitz something."
"Ok honey, ya'll two betta not get into any trouble."
Big Gerry walked over to his beautiful wife who had been just radiating lately, but in that moment he saw it more than ever.
"Are you…" he whispered while holding her close.
"Just a couple months."
Big Gerry cocked his head back and smiled while looking into her eyes she held the back of his neck while he held her in his arms.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Ernestine sighed and looked away.
Truth be told he knew why she didn't tell him, but he still felt a little betrayed that she wasn't going to this time unless her stages completed on their natural cycle.
"I know honey." He gave her a passionate kiss and squeezed her belly making her squeal in his arms.
"Uh-Um." A clearing of the throat took them out of their bliss. "Mommy, Daddy, stop that's gross! Daddy come on I wanna see it! Please?"
"Ok, let's go."
Big Gerry swooped his hand on his wife's stomach one last time before he exited with their son.
She looked over to Elizabeth and inhaled calmly.
'Dear lord, give me strength.' Ernestine smiled and directed Elizabeth towards the upstairs to start a proper tour of the new and improved Grant Estate.
Big Gerry sat Fitz down in his office. He took out a package from his desk. A desk that one of his well trained blacksmith's made.
He opened up the paper wrapping and slowly and carefully removed the item. He looked it over checking for any imperfections and nodded when he found none. He handed the item to his son who happily studied it as well with the eye of a hawk.
"It's beautiful son, you are very mature for your age to get her such a gift."
"She has wanted one for some time now and guess what daddy!"
"What?"
"She got me a present too!"
"Should we combine both of your birthday parties seeing as you're one day apart?"
Olivia was turning 7 and Fitz was turning 8. Every year they combined parties and loved sharing it because they were so close.
"Yes! We always do but hers is the day you leave and mine is after that."
"Okay, son we'll celebrate this party the day before I leave. Sounds fair?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good, now let's help mother introduce everyone to Aunt Elizabeth.
It had been three days since Elizabeth's arrival and things were going well. Although Elizabeth had some moments it seemed she was accepting Ernestine and Fitz Jr. as of her kind. Big Gerry was to leave the next day, so it was spread across the whole plantation the picking of cotton was to be put on hold for the day as the celebration of his son, and Olivia was to take place.
There was a comfortable breeze as the cornflower blue sky held onto whipped clouds that shielded those from the late spring sun.
Fitz had woken up especially early today, nerves left him excited to see what kind of pin his best friend had got him.
He finished combing his hair when he decided he wanted to spend the whole day with her, playing about. Celebrating another year with one of the reasons he is so excited to wake up in the morning.
"Fitz! You have been in that bathroom for over an hour! What are you doing? Breakfast is ready!"
Ernestine yelled from the bottom of the staircase.
"Ok, mom!"
Fitz glided down each step with swagger, his riding boots were on display, he wore a white cotton short with light brown breeches. His hair was gelled back to perfection with a curly swoop that'd been the reason for his tardiness. He was trying to tame his stubborn curls.
Fitz looked at his mother, father, and Aunt Elizabeth sitting at the table waiting for him to sit as well to start the serving of the meal. The table was huge and there were 4 more spots.
"Mother, Father." Fitz nodded to each parent giving them recognition.
They nodded waiting to listen to what notion he was to propose.
"It is my birthday wish that Livvie, and her parents eat breakfast with us."
Big Gerry nodded excitedly. "Of course!"
Elizabeth eyed her brother in shock. She understood sometimes men with such power fell victim to helping those in need, and satisfying their carnal urges, but to eat with other blacks was simply unacceptable. She kept quiet and tried her best to refrain from making any negative facial movements as well as body language. She gave a cheap smile to Fitz and he shot her a wide, grin that showcased two teeth that had recently fell out in the two days she's been here.
Fitz ran to the door and swung open the kitchen door and ran in almost causing a fresh tray of biscuits to fly across the floor.
"Fitz, what I tell you bout messin in here when we cookin?"
"Sorry ma'am, but where's Miss Maya?"
"She getting more eggs from the coop."
Before she could finish Fitz had already headed out of the kitchen door to outside where he ran as fast as he could to the chicken coop.
"Miss Maya! Miss Maya!"
Maya turned and looked at a frantic Fitz. She smiled and settled a hand on her hip.
"Boy, Olivia's right over in the garden."
"I know, but please get because ya'll are eatin breakfast with us."
Maya's hand dug even further into her hip.
"Why's that?"
"It's our birthday… and Livvie is never allowed to eat with us… so I made my birthday wish for you to eat with us."
Maya's heart almost melted at the purity she saw. He only got one birthday wish every year and this year it was for her Livvie.
"You go get Livvia and I'll get Eli."
Fitz nodded and jumped with excitement, he skipped all the way to the garden where he saw Livvie making another corn husk doll while humming a negro spiritual tune that she picked up from her mama. She told her it makes the time go by quicker when you're doing hard work.
"Livvie!" Fitz was out of breath from all of the running.
Olivia turned back and smiled. Her hair in two beautiful, long french braids. She lost her one of her front teeth when Fitz lost one of his canine's the other day. They laughed and giggled saying they were twins. When she hurt, he felt it, when he was happy so was she, they knew they had a special connection but they just didn't know how to express in words what they felt.
Fitz walked closer breathing heavily and picked a bright orange and pink lily and slipped it in between two knots of hair that sealed tightly together to make the braid.
"Come."
Fitz took her hand and led her to the house where he pulled out her chair and slid it closer to the table once she was seated. He sat right next to her and waited patiently for Maya and Eli to arrive.
"I am so sorry, I was just working on breakfast and didn't have anything to put on."
Maya entered the room with Eli in tow. Only did she realize her flimsy attire until she was already across half the Grant estate walking with Eli. He calmed her fears and reassured her Big Gerry wouldn't mind.
Maya tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and removed her apron that was stained with flour and batter from this mornings biscuits.
Big Gerry waved her off, "Girl, you helped prepare breakfast, now it's only right you eat it."
Maya smiled, he was such a charmer he would make a perfect president one day. He was one hell of a governor right now she wondered if given the chance how he would improve America.
Maya and Eli sat down.
"Serving may begin." Big Gerry stated loudly as the male servers entered to room.
"Livvie, look at this." Fitz whispered as he devoured a piece of pancake in one bite.
Olivia whispered and took a piece of bacon. "Look at this." She ate it with a funny face and Fitz laughed the two had been involved in table games since about five minutes ago when the adults started conversing about politics.
"So, Elizabeth how long do you plan on staying here." Ernestine couldn't help but to inquire.
Elizabeth looked at Ernestine and offered a sly smirk while polishing off her freshly squeezed orange juice.
"I had no idea that Ger was leaving, so originally I planned to stay for two months, but now seeing as he leaves tomorrow I guess I plan to stay for at least four months. Don't worry I won't be any trouble."
"I'm not… worried that is." Ernestine gave her a petty smirk and returned to eating her breakfast. Everyone began a new topic of conversation and ended breakfast on a light note.
The day was going by very fast. After breakfast Fitz brought Olivia up to his room and gave her his old pair of riding equipment. She laughed as she undressed and he shoved the shirt over her head to help her in it. He even let her have his old pair of riding boots.
When she was finished he took her to the stables and saddled her up. They rode for hours after Olivia got the hang of the pony and the explored a back part of the woods they'd never even dared to uncover.
Meanwhile at the plantation there was dancing and singing. Big Gerry and Ernestine had the kitchen staff preparing for a large dinner as the celebration was to last all day.
By the time Fitz and Olivia returned to the plantation it was well into the afternoon.
"Livvia we missed you and Fitz." Maya motioned for Olivia to come near her and Olivia obliged. She rarely partook in any public affection, as her parents rarely displayed it, but after her and Fitz's amazing ride and fun exploration she wasn't opposed to the her mom showering her with kisses.
Maya held out another arm for Fitz and he settled right under her breast. She bent down slightly and kissed both of their heads.
"Mommy wants you to know she's proud of you."
She whispered to both of them. Although she wasn't Fitz's mom the amount of times he's accidentally referred her as it has payed off for this exact moment.
They both giggled and Maya released her hold on them.
They slipped away with guilty smirks and went to go play with the other children.
After exciting games of jump rope followed by a cut throat game of manhunt the children were called in for dinner.
When they arrived they saw a large spread outside in the garden. The food was put out buffett style. So everyone could grab a plate, eat on the lawn or in the garden. It was dark, the last bit of light blue had just been soaked up by the darkness of the sky.
Everyone gathered round and for the first time that night Big Gerry realized his sister wasn't to be seen throughout the whole day… after she partook breakfast.
He took Ernestine's hand, caressed it and leaned in to whisper, "Have you seen my sister?"
"After breakfast when you and Eli went to go duck huntin' for tonight's spread she claimed she felt ill and had to rest. She's been up there all day bossing around Tom and even Aibileen.
Big Gerry was concerned about his sister and went to go see her.
"I said rub my foot!"
"Yes, ." Tom rubbed her foot with his gaze downward. He'd almost forgotten how awful other white's treated their kind as he had been under the Grant Plantation for over 25 years now.
Elizabeth looked him over. She got pleasure from dominating those who had no power. Her mind was in a haze as she day dreamed about all of the other things she could do to filthy animals like him and get away with it.
Two knocks and an open door later she saw the outline of her beloved brother and swooned her neck backwards acting in pain.
"Elizabeth! Are you ok?"
She wheezed and coughed profusely saying through jagged breaths, "I'm fine please, just go."
"No, you're not fine all you've must eaten all day is breakfast and laid down in this hot and humid heat. No get up, for you must eat dinner."
Weakly she said, "I can't."
Big Gerry saw the powerless look in her eyes and submitted
"Ok, I'll stay up here, Tom-"
"Yes Massa."
"Go down there and tell Eli to bless the food. If anyone asks I'm up here with Elizabeth, also when it's gifting time please come and get me I got a real nice gift for my boy."
"Yes Massa." Tom smiled relieved that his one on one with Elizabeth Grant had come to an end, it was really making him uncomfortable.
After Eli blessed the food everyone dug in. Most gathered around a big fire. There were african tribal dances that their parents had learned from their parents since the initial enslavement of their people. They danced, shouted, chanted and sang biblical songs. A few slaves were taught by their previous owners on the dynamics of instruments, so when needed, white people had entertainment in song.
There were two violins, three banjos, five drums, and a flute-like instrument.
Most people ate fast and quickly jumped in around the fire. Olivia and Fitz danced to the tribal beats that made their soul scream out with joy so much it was impossible to stay still.
After some time Eli yelled out, "It is time for the distribution of gifts!"
Tom ran upstairs and knocked on Elizabeth's door.
"Come in."
He opened the door slightly and slipped the rest of his body in, feeling as though he was intruding.
Elizabeth was smiling and Big Gerry was too they were just catching up on all the mischievous and fun things Elizabeth did while in Paris.
"Massa it is the time of gifting."
"I'll be right down." Big Gerry nodded to Tom. Big Gerry got up from the wooden chair on the side of Elizabeth's bed after a while, he and excused himself, giving a quick peck to his sister's forehead.
"Wow!" Fitz couldn't believe all of the hand crafted toys and even devices he was receiving from the people on the plantation.
He opened one his last gifts when his father came up behind him and presented him with another. It was a small box like that in which a man would put a wedding ring in, it held almost no weight at all.
Fitz opened the box and saw a colorful piece of fabric, stitched into the outline of a boat. No doubt the handiwork of his precious mother.
"Father, I appreciate this gift, and will hang it on my wall."
"Son, one day, you see this land?" Fitz nodded looking out to the plantations and everything around it.
"Son, you will own this, and hopefully hold the title of governor to keep the Grant family name relevant." Big Gerry chuckled.
"But I didn't just get you a stitching of a boat I got you a real boat. Before you have the final say and are in charge of a plethora amount of lives within this plantation, you must have traveled, seen the world and experience the old and new people of it." Big Gerry smiled and patted his son's back.
"Oh, father I love you!" Fitz jumped into his father's arms and kissed him on the cheek. Big Gerry laughed and set him down to finish opening his presents.
There were no more as he looked around, but then saw Olivia's guilty smile and knew they wanted to give eachother their presents last.
Olivia whispered something to her mother, and she slipped Olivia the gift. Fitz looked at his father and he gave him Olivia's.
They exchanged gifts and Fitz asked Olivia to open hers first.
She tore open the thin white paper and out cascaded beautiful agarwood beads into an astonishing rosary necklace. She had wanted a rosary for almost a year now. Hot tears ran down her face, she didn't know why she was crying but it'd been awful nice of him to get her that.
"Thank you so much Fitz!" Olivia bear hugged him, sniffling in his shoulder. She hated crying, as a matter of fact this was the first time he ever witnessed Olivia Carolyn Pope cry. He didn't mind her wetting his shirt with tears, he went to caress her back but she moved away quickly and wiped the remaining streaks on her face.
"Open mine." Olivia asked as she took one last, long sniffle to clear anything else in her system away that threatened to flood out of her system.
She handed him his present and he unwrapped a small box and opened it to find a shiny American flag with a golden frame that glimmered in the fire's remaining light.
"It has 13 stars going in a circle on that blue square, and 13 stripes it starts with red at the top and ends with red at the bottom. It was Thomas Jefferson's. We got it in town on auction. His children had sold many of his belongings and this flag slipped through their hands. Sometimes when we go out and explore and we play in that land."
Fitz smiled knowing the imaginary land they loved to play in.
"Well sometimes you're president, and I thought if you are going to be one you would like a president's pin first."
Olivia smiled at Fitz's lit up face. She felt good knowing that he liked her gift.
"Thank you Livvie!" He went in for a hug and squeezed her until she couldn't breath. The looked at her and she still had the tulip in her hair, although flimsy and flat from horse riding, she kept it in there.
"Fitz wait!" Big Gerry yelled. I forgot to tell you son, know that you have a boat you have to name it, a boat is a very important thing, and a boat is always a fair lady, now i'll give you till tomorrow but you have to think about what you'll name her."
"Olivia." Fitz said.
Olivia looked at him, "What?" Confused on why he was calling her name when his father was talking to him.
"I will name my boat Olivia." Fitz reassured and smiled when he saw utter shock take over Olivia's face.
Big Gerry nodded to his son and everyone cheered, clapping and whistling proudly, letting him know he picked a beautiful name for his boat. That was more like a ship although Big Gerry hadn't yet explained the size yet, he'd rather show him when he gets back from his trip.
The rest of the night went on without a hitch, everyone was dancing and singing, enjoying their night off. It was hard work being a slave, but they dreamed of night's like these, an escape from their horrific reality.
The Day Of Big Gerry's Departure
"You still don't feel too well?" Big Gerry kissed his sister on the cheek as she stood lined up like everyone else bidding him safe travels.
Elizabeth started to cough, "No, not at all."
"Well, I'll be sure to bring back a remedy from Mississippi."
Elizabeth smiled and nodded.
Big Gerry moved down the line and showered his family with kisses and hugs whispering sweet nothings into his wife's ear making her giggle and telling her to keep their baby safe.
Two of his best blacksmiths, Jonathan and Plat where to accompany him on this long and tedious journey to help secure the business deal that was set in place.
"Till I see you again!" Big Gerry took off his smooth brown hat and waved it about bidding everyone a goodbye. Olivia blew kisses and shouted "Come back soon."
Two Days After Big Gerry's Departure
Elizabeth was bored of laying up n her bed all day so she decided to venture out and explore more of her childhood plantation.
While on her way downstairs she spotted Fitz slipping on his riding boots.
"Where are you going Fitzgerald?"
"Uh, I'm going riding with Olivia."
"Slaves don't ride horses Fitzgerald, stop all that foolish talk! Now you're daddy's gone things will be my way round here."
Fitz looked up into Elizabeth's eyes with a confused expression.
"Listen boy you're not going riding today, as a gift to your mother we are going to make her a special jam."
"Fitz forgot all about her previous statement at the word jam. His eyes lit up and he followed her like a puppy to the kitchen. He waited as she picked out a basket and followed her across the fields as she lead him to a place where he's had yet to explore.
In the deep, swampy thicket, mosquito's and critters napped at their soft flesh.
"Ouch!" Fitz was bitten hard by a mosquito and flinched aggressively when he heard one buzz in his ear.
Elizabeth eyed him silencing him with a glare and he continued to follow her into the brush. She found exactly what she was looking for when sweet blackberry's came into view.
"Here, start picking."
"This is amazing, how did you find this?" Fitz was astonished.
"I grew up here." Elizabeth mumbled as she began picking the dark, fruit. Fitz jumped in and after about five minutes ventured off to find more berry's. A few feet away from the blackberry bush was a berry bush with bright red fruit he began picking the fruit and putting his findings in a kangaroo pouch he created with his shirt. He walked over to his aunt and asked if he could deposit the berry's into the basket.
"Fitzgerald! Those are poisonous! Give them to me!" Elizabeth demanded and snatched the fruit away from him. She threw the poisonous berries onto nature's ground as it was up to them now to either eat the food she deposited on the ground or let them rot on top of their rich soil and only then choose to devour such broken down nutrients.
She finished picking the blackberries and they started on the small trek back home.
Once Elizabeth got into the house she demanded all of the kitchen staff to leave.
"But Miss Elizabeth dinner is to be started for the Misses."
"You are dismissed."
"But Miss-"
"No!" She cleared her throat and evened out her tone. "You are dismissed, and that is final."
Fitz observed with wide eyes no one has ever talked to Aibileen like that and he found it very disrespectful. Aibileen was always sweet and kind to him and brought joy to those around her. She loved feeding everyone and only yelled at him when he was doing something he shouldn't have, even snuck him sweets when he laid down the Grant charm. In all she was like a grandmother to him.
Elizabeth smiled at Fitz. He nervously smiled back and she cleared off the food that was for dinner on the countertop and tossed it into another. She took out a long, hard wooden cutting board and began pouring out the berries on it.
"Now, here take this knife like this." Elizabeth took the knife and held his hands in hers to direct him.
They minced the fruit and Elizabeth brought out all the ingredients to make a successful jam.
They boiled the fruit down and went to work. After about two hours, everything was finished.
"Fitz, you licked the spoon and you can have the bowl, but if you so much as eat a drop of this jam I will personally give you lashings on your back. This is for your mother, so we ought to keep it that way.
Fitz nodded and gulped at her sinister tone.
"Now, go it is to get dark soon, play before dinner."
Fitz ran out of the door not giving her a chance to change her mind.
Just then Aibileen walked into the kitchen. "We's really gots to start on dinner Miss Elizabeth."
"Fine!"
"Miss, is that jam for you?" Aibileen asked curiously eyeing the jam.
"It is not for you, do not even think about touching it. Where is the ice box?" Aibileen pointed in the direction "Over there Miss's"
Aibileen and all of the slave's have been treated like horse shit from Elizabeth Grant since her brother's departure, and this type of behavior was something they did not deal with on a daily basis, Aibileen lived long enough to know that Miss Elizabeth was trouble, if cancer held a human form she was sure that it would be the spitting image of Elizabeth Grant, Aibileen smiled knowing full well what she needed to do.
The Next Morning
Ernestine was awoken to Fitz stroking her arm.
Her eyes adjusted to the natural light and took in Fitz's small frame.
"Hey Mama!"
"Fitz what are you doing?"
"To serve you breakfast. Aunt Elizabeth sent me."
Ernestine's eyes narrowed but Fitz continued.
That morning Elizabeth had demanded Aibileen to get up an hour early and start on breakfast. She woke Fitz up and told him to serve his mother after giving him a tray full of food. Fitz placed the tray on Ernestine's lap that had a dish full of food on it.
Ernestine thought of this as a piggish gesture. To eat food in a place where she slept, not having been raised in such a way she also did not want to offend Elizabeth when she just started to turn her mindset around.
Ernestine began eating.
"We made the jam mother." Fitz beamed proudly and watched carefully as Ernestine bit into a slice of toast with a healthy serving of her homemade jam on top.
"Mhmmm delicious." Ernestine swallowed and didn't know what to say.
"How do you like it?"
Ernestine took another big bite and had to admit she enjoyed it and thought the gesture, although not her style was nice.
"Exquisite! Thank you, I greatly appreciate this gesture." She ruffled Fitz's hair and started coughing lightly.
"Love you mom!" Fitz said as he kissed her cheek. He started out towards the door so he could play when his mother began coughing louder.
"Mom, are you ok?"
She nodded while coughing even harder now it sounded like she was hacking up something.
Blood dripped from her mouth onto her hands as her coughing wouldn't let up. It got raspier and she was struggling to breathe. Fitz screamed and nearby maids busted through the door seeing the violent spell, a demon possessing their Queen, their female leader of the plantation.
Fitz was crying and shouting at the maids, one of them hurried downstairs and run the bell that was in the estates well. Whenever this bell rang everyone knew to report to the house immediately.
The maid saw Aibileen and hysterically brought her upstairs.
Ernestine was still coughing and struggling for air as Aibileen took her off the bed and shoved her fingers down her throat to make her throw up, but it was too late. The room was crowded and they watched as Ernsteins dark frame froze with Aibileen's fingers down her throat, blood running onto Aibileen's fingers and the crimson shade her eyes turned.
Fitz was screaming as he watched his mother's body become limp.
One of the maids tried to take him out of the room and put him in his own to calm down but he kicked and punched and ran to his mother. He lifted her left arm onto his body and cried out to God, "God, help me, save my mother, God I will do anything for you, I won't sin again, O' God i will give you everything!" He pleaded to the universe to hear his plea but was only dragged by two of the field workers to his room. On his way out he saw Olivia watching with a horrified face, she witnessed this tragedy as did he.
"It was you!" Elizabeth pointed to Aibileen. "I only told you were I put my jam, and you cooked her breakfast this morning!"
Everyone turned to Aibileen unable to believe this accusation.
Then it clicked in Elizabeth's head as her face displayed the image of realization.
"I knew it! Yesterday I wasn't the kindness to you and your kitchen slaves and you attempted to poison me with the jam I made. The jam wasn't for me, it was for Ernestine Grant!"
Everyone gasped. Her poisoning Ernestine made absolutely no sense, but her attempting to poison that raggedy old, pastey bitch Miss Elizabeth was much more believable.
"I did no such thing Miss-"
"Yes you did! We all know you did! You disgust me! Me, take her out of here and SELL her, sell her cheap, Tom!"
Two strong men dragged her out of the room and went to go find the field overseers to give them Aibileen and sell her.
"Yes Miss Elizabeth."
"Call the coroner."
"Yes Miss Elizabeth."
"That is Master to you."
"Yes Master."
"Good, now take Ernestines body out of here for a proper burial."
Elizabeth walked over to Ernestine shook her head and closed her eyes before they took her out.
Everyone obeyed Elizabeth and were quite shaken up about the whole situation many of them witnessed. A strong man by the name of Nathan carried her to a carriage. Others helped assist as her dark body grew lighter in the southern sun. The crack whipped as an overseer rode the carriage while two of the men held onto Ernestine and supported her body in the back of the carriage. They were bringing her to their family doctor,
That night many slaves shed tears, well any tears that they had left from a seemingly unfruitful life. By that night Doctor Beene had already pumped her system. To do that effectively he inserted a lubricated tube into her mouth and thread it down through Ernestine's esophagus which led to her stomach. He pumped out the contents and ran tests in his lab. He didn't find anything other striking, so he cut Ernestine's stomach open and examined the lining and saw that it had been heavily inflamed. The men did say something about one of the house slaves poisoning her, and to his intelligence they were right. For the people back on the Grant plantation times like this gave them thoughts of 'Why?' and 'Must I move on? How can I move on?'
They buried her deep and refused to cry while singing spirituals in her name.
Through the whole next week women and beloved members of the community came to pay their respects. Elizabeth relished in the attention she was getting, but despised the good telling's of Ernestine.
While Aibileen was brought to the authorities and sentenced to rot in Baton Rogues finest jail cell. Fitz had yet to come out of his room, his mother had just passed, might as well kill off the family genes, no point in keeping him alive anymore. Fitzgerald Sr. arrived at the Friday of that week. Turns out word travels fast when the South's African Queen passes. Elizabeth was so shocked at his early arrival and that he didn't complete his trip over his dead wife she became frozen when he sobbed uncontrollably on the porch of the house. She came out rubbing his back for comfort.
"It's okay Ger, it's ok."
Big Gerry shook his head side to side and disagreed with her statement. She had been pregnant with another seed had been growing in her body, but this time it did not perish because of its own struggle to stay alive, it passed because their mother's life was taken away from her. The lord took her too soon.
"Look at me." Elizabeth kissed her brother with all the passion she had in her body. When she caught her breath she said, "You will marry me now."
She took him in the house, brought him upstairs and did every dirty trick she learned in Paris on him to make him focus on her.
Who knew this great tragedy would fall into her palms and only help her fulfil her mission.
And as for Fitz, well she couldn't kill him right now but she could hurt him as much as she pleased. She planned to sell Olivia the next day.
So, I briefly skimmed over there were probably many errors, I may correct them later but next ch. if anyone leaves a comment to go on will not be as "happy" it will dive into some of the realism and the everyday lifestyle normal slaves in that time period had to go through. Ch.2?