Chapter 8
It took some time before they reached the right harbor. As usual Kai got in his
quarters to dress properly. Someone knocked on the door.
Kai : Come in.
Richard : he opened Did you want to tell me something ?
Kai : Yes. Make sure Bonnie stays busy. You know why.
The cook nodded and left.
Later
Bonnie wiped her forehead. She was cooking with Richard. He was whistling
while chopping some meat. She needed some fresh air and didn't think she
needed to ask for a permission. She left the kitchen without him noticing and
went on the upper deck. She leaned against the railing. Marcos was directing
and helping the crew. There was something new though. Slaves were carrying
packages. She didn't know this but they were full of tobacco and cotton. She
gasped. Now she understood why Kai didn't want his 'assistant'. She had some
difficulties to breathe and took a couple of deep breaths. She left the ship and
walked to the pontoon. She stopped a male slave.
?: What do you want, girl ?
Bonnie : How many are you ?
?: Slaves ? We're thousands. A lot of us stayed at the plantation.
Bonnie : My god...
?: Ya should go back in the ship before your master sees you.
Bonnie : He's not like that. He's different.
?: he looked at her up and down Then he must want something else he walked away with his package
Bonnie felt really sad. She took a few steps towards the ship.
Marcos : he saw her face and grabbed her arm Wait...
Bonnie : she jerked her arm away Leave me alone !
She went back in the kitchen. Richard was relieved to see her until she started
cutting vegetables at an angry pace. She dropped the knife and her shoulders
shook as she sobbed.
Richard : Bonnie...
Bonnie : she turned around Why is the world so unfair ?
Richard : Because mankind lives in it.
Bonnie : When I was a slave for Madame Elizabeth, a priest came once. He said that slavery was fine because we don't have souls anyway. He called us 'negros'. Madame Elizabeth threw him out of the house but I still remember.
Richard : he wiped her tears with his apron For what it worths, I think it's a lie. I know you have a soul like everyone else.
Bonnie : I guess so.
Richard : I consider you as the daughter I never had.
Bonnie : But we're not even the same skin color.
Richard : he smiled I think what matters is here he pointed to her heart
Kai didn't come back for lunch. Bonnie thought he was probably invited to eat
in the plantation. That really bothered her. When he came back, it was past
dinner time. Marcos took him apart to tell him what happened with the young
woman. Kai nodded and went to her door. He raised his fist to knock but
hesitated. He was sure she was mad. He put his hand down and walked to his
quarters. He felt like such a coward.
The next day
Bonnie went in and put the tray on his desk without a word.
Kai : he cleared his throat I was told what happened.
Bonnie : I won't eat with you today or any other day for that matter.
Kai : I can explain.
Bonnie : Explain what ? That you work with a plantation that uses slaves ?
Kai : Sometimes I don't have a choice but you know what I think about slavery. I bought you out of jail.
Bonnie : And I'll always be thankful for that but it's exactly the point. You bought me. Like I'm a horse or a bag of flour.
Kai : I don't want you to be mad at me.
Bonnie : Too bad I am she left
He sighed. She's just a woman, why are you so upset ? He thought. But the truth
was her opinion really mattered to him. He grabbed a fork and started to eat
without appetite. It was boring without Bonnie.