"Mercedes" Mr. Evans smiles. "Please show Miss Fabray to the parlor."
"Yes sir" Mercedes nods.
"I'll go and get Sam and find out what's keepin' him from such a lovely sight."
"Mr. Evans, you are far too kind" Quinn smiles removing her pale pink bonnet. Her long blonde curls bounce freely falling around her face. She's wearing a matching pink petticoat, making her waist seem extra tiny. And when she walks it's almost as if she glides across the floor. Quinn follows Mercedes into a parlor room where a grand piano is sitting comfortably next to a panel of windows.
"Pour me some lemonade" Quinn orders sitting at the piano. Mercedes goes to the pitcher sitting on a nearby table and pours a glass of lemonade bringing it to her. "Set it there."
Quinn says beginning to play a complicated little melody on the piano forte. Mercedes stands quietly in a corner hoping that Samuel will walk in at any moment to rescue her from Quinn. Ever since they were children, Quinn has always found something to tease Mercedes about. Whether it be her hair, or clothes or her coloring. Many nights Mercedes would cry herself to sleep over Quinn's words; she just hated being around her. The natural sunlight that falls on Quinn, makes her look stunning in the room. The way her dress cascades around her on the piano bench, or the way her complexion is a perfect peach just emphasizes how naturally beautiful she is. Mercedes lets out a quiet yawn, covering her mouth discretely however Quinn notices out the corner of her eye.
She stops playing. "Am I boring you?"
"Ma'm?"
"Am I boring you?"
"No ma'm" Mercedes replies sincere.
"Because if I am" Quinn begins. "You can just leave."
"Sorry ma'm I have to wait for Master Samuel."
"Yes...Master Samuel?" Quinn smiles returning to the keys. "How is my fiancé?"
Mercedes is quiet, choosing not to answer.
"Does he speak of me often?" Quinn asks intrigued. Mercedes is still quiet. "Well...speak up!"
Mercedes jumps startled at Quinn's tone.
"I only talk of you when I'm describing how beautiful you are" Sam struts in.
Mercedes breathes out a deeply, relaxing now that Sam's in the room. Quinn smiles brightly towards Sam as he comes to stand next to her by the piano. Mercedes eases out of the room leaving the two of them alone...both Sam and Quinn notice.
"She's a lot more compliant today?" Quinn observes smirking. "Is it because of me?"
"How are you Quinn" Sam asks changing the subject; resisting the urge to become annoyed with her question. "What brings you here today?"
"Well" Quinn says slow in her southern drawl. "Papa was just asking me over breakfast, if a certain handsome Evans boy asked for my hand..."
Quinn trails off wistfully as Sam lets out a sigh.
"And we were wondering; when were you plannin' on doin' that?"
Sam gives a hearty chuckle. "There's no beatin' around the bush with you Fabray's...is there?"
"Not when we see somethin' we want" Quinn says flirtatiously.
Sam smiles looking in an opposite direction. If Mercedes had still been in the room, their eyes would have locked gazes and shared some personal joke before allowing him to return to the present conversation.
"I'm growing impatient Sam" Quinn says with an intense look. "When do you think you'll be ready?"
Sam purses his lips from smiling any bigger...he can't believe how bold she's being.
"You're honestly ready to get married now?" Sam asks. "We're too young-"
"Age is just a number."
"You don't love me Quinn" Sam says honestly.
Quinn doesn't pause but continues. "Love is sure to come later. The point is, I'm ready to be married to you...all I need is for you to ask..."
She trails off again wistfully. Sam rolls his eyes giving her a half-smile.
"Well I'm not asking you today, so you can just go home" Sam chuckles stretching before walking out of the room.
Sam goes straight to the kitchen where he knows he is sure to find Mercedes. She's at a table folding dinner napkins with her mom. Sam watches her from behind a corner admiring her secretly. The way she keeps her dark hair in two long braids that rest on her broad shoulders. Her white button down blouse tucked into her long brown skirt. The way she keeps her sleeves rolled up for the work ahead, and how relaxed she is just folding napkins. Her skin coloring is what Sam likes most; she has such a warm brown tone unlike his pale one. When he walks into the kitchen, the entire staff freezes except for Mercedes. She welcomes him in with a bright smile.
"Can Mercedes come with me for a bit?" Sam asks Delilah.
"I don't know, we've got a lot of work to do-"
"Only for a bit, we won't go far...just to the parlor?"
"Oh mamma let me go, I have to clean up in there anyway-"
"I'll help!" Sam exclaims startling everyone. Everything goes dead silent, Sam has never been one to volunteer for anything. Mercedes eats a laugh.
"Alright, just make sure you come back here-"
"We will!" Sam says grabbing Mercedes hand forcing her to come with him. "Thanks Del!"
Even though the parlor is a few rooms away, it still provides a small place to talk in private. Sam and Mercedes used to play in here all the time when they were little. They would hide under the piano and listen to the conversations of the house.
"I think you owe me an apology" Sam says looking suspiciously at Mercedes.
"Alright, I'm sorry Master Evans-"
"Its not sincere" Sam says cutting her off. "You know exactly what you did and you're not sorry" he smiles.
Mercedes covers her mouth to hide a laugh. "But I am." She begins setting up the lemonade tray back to how it was.
"No you're not" he says sitting at the piano. "How many times must I tell you, that under no circumstances are you allowed to leave me in the same room with her!"
Mercedes tries her best to eat another laugh.
"I have work to do" Mercedes giggles with her back turned to Sam. "I can't take you with me Master Samuel"
Even though her back is facing him, he gives her the most loving and intense stare he has. "Sometimes I wish you would" he thinks.
"Besides" Mercedes begins. "It's good for you two to spend time together-"
"Who's side are you on Merce?" Sam groans. "Ever since she found out what the word marriage meant she's been trying to sink her claws into me for the kill."
Mercedes can't help but laugh out loud, and it's a clear and ringing tone. This makes Sam smile even bigger.
"What did I say?"
"Nothing" Mercedes laughs again trying to control herself. "I'm just afraid at this rate she'll never get what she wants."
"You should've seen her today Merce! This is the boldest she's ever been!"
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad Master Samuel" Mercedes says beginning to adjust the furniture.
"She did everything but propose" Sam says exaggerated.
"So what do you plan on doin' Master Sam?" Mercedes asks. "Staying a bachelor for the rest of your life? Quinn's a good woman" Mercedes winces on the last part. "She'll make you happy."
"I'm already happy" Sam answers.
Every now and then Sam has been known to give tiny insights into his feelings. His voice changes to a tone of absolute sincerity. It's like he's saying more, than what he's actually saying. Mercedes also knows the look he's giving her, one of immense intensity...therefore she refuses to look at him. She picks up a duster and begins dusting the area.
"Can I ask you something?" Sam asks.
"Go ahead, Master Samuel."
The question is on the tip of his tongue but he can't bring himself to speak the words.
"Never-mind" he says.
With her back turned towards him she rolls her eyes frustrated. This always happens...they both are teetering on an emotional cliff; but why admit their feelings. Both are unsure of how the other will react; not to mention nothing can ever come of them.
Mercedes finishes the dusting before taking the lemonade tray away back to the kitchen; Sam follows silently.
"Del, what's all this for?" Sam asks noticing how everyone is preparing for a big event.
"Your father's dinner party" She answers hustling about. "Mercedes I'm gonna need you and May to set the dinning table."
Mercedes nods going over to the sink to wash her hands, drying them quickly before leaving the Kitchen. Sam follows her out again. Mercedes is too focused to getting to the dinning room she barely notices Sam walking with her.
"Master Samuel, why are you following me?" Mercedes asks whipping out a scarf tying her hair back.
Sam shrugs running down the hallway into the dinning room. "I'm not!"
Mercedes hides a smile and continues to walk down the path. The Evans Dinning Room is a room that's only used for extremely special occasions, like a lavish dinner party or sometimes even a town meeting. Mercedes begins by going to the great China cabinet where all of the porcelain dishes are kept. Pristine white plates with modern accents are stacked neatly and Mercedes takes them out one by one. The place setting must be around thirty, and as careful as possible Mercedes sets each piece down in it's proper place.
"At this rate we'll be here all day" Sam groans subconsciously taking a dinner plate and putting it in the right setting.
"You can always leave, Master Samuel" Mercedes smiles continuing to work...barely noticing that he's helping.
"And leave you by yourself?"
"May's coming" Mercedes adds setting another plate down.
"When?"
"Soon."
"I hope so, cause I'm not staying here all day."
Mercedes and Sam continue to work quietly, although each of them continues to sneak glances at each other. With each round they make the table is becoming more and more elaborate. The silverware and glassware is already on the table, now they are working on the decorative napkins and how to place them. Mercedes looks at Sam unsure of why he's even here; out of all the things he could be doing he's here helping her set a table. When Sam steals his glance at Mercedes, she forgets to look away. For a moment the two lock eyes.
"Am I doin' somethin' wrong?" Sam asks worried.
Mercedes shakes her head and continues making the table look nice.
"OH!" May walks in dramatically, as Sam looks at her with wonder. "I'm so sorry Merce, but I just got carried away!" May spins around happily before noticing that Sam is in the room. "My apologies Master Samuel...I had no idea you was standing right there!"
"Where exactly were you?" Sam asks sounding a little like his father.
May is starting to become scared but that doesn't slow down her talking. "Well you see, I was doin' some other chores but completely lost track of the time and when then I realized that I had to be getting back to help Mercedes with the table but then-"
"Getting back?" Sam asks suspicious.
"My apologies again Master Samuel...it will not happen again" May rushes out.
"Thank you for your help Master Samuel" Mercedes smiles. "We can finish it from here."
May's mouth drops but quickly closes it when Sam gives her another look. Sam nods completely annoyed with May, wishing that she would've just stayed away. He was perfectly content with setting a table with Mercedes for forever. He leaves the room but chooses to hide behind in a corner closet so he can listen to the two girls talk. May rushes to the dinning room sliding doors and closes them quickly.
"Now are you gonna tell me what happened?" Mercedes says anxious.
"Alright, so we was lyin' real close in the outer fields-
"Oh May you didn't" Mercedes frowns in horror.
"Of course not!" May hits Mercedes. "We was just talking and laughing. And then he surprises me by taking my hand and giving it a firm squeeze..." May says taking her own hand and holding it close, closing her eyes.
"What for?" Mercedes face frowns even more and Sam has to eat a laugh.
May's eyes pop open. "Because it's wonderful! Don't you let Heck hold your hand?"
Now Sam's the one who's frowning. Who's Heck? And why does he even have a chance of holding Mercedes hand? Sam even breathes quiet, afraid that he'll miss a word.
"Of course I don't let Heck hold my hand" Mercedes says offended. "That leads to ideas."
"Do you not like Heck?"
Mercedes shrugs. "How am I even supposed to know what I like?"
"How can you not?" May cackles. "He's strong and big...not to mention he's got a kind and quiet soul."
"You have Abe remember" Mercedes smiles.
"Yes I do" May says proudly. "But if I didn't I'd be tryin' to get Heck!"
Sam is completely confused...he's not at all sure how he should feel. For one thing, he's jealous. Someone else is noticing her the way he does? Sam knows that the right thing to do would be to let her go, nothing can come from his feelings anyway...but he can't bring himself to do it. He wants Mercedes for himself.
"So is there someone else?"
Sam stops breathing eager to hear her answer. He doesn't have to, May's reaction gives it away.
"Mercedes, you tell me right now who it is!"
"Why?" She laughs. "So the whole plantation can know?"
"Well I'll be damned" May says putting a hand to her forehead. "It's about time."
"What does that mean?" Mercedes laughs again.
"You're always alone, always by yourself singing or working except for when..." May goes silent.
Even though Sam can't see it, Mercedes gives a pleading look not to say any more.
"Oh Mercy-"
"Stop it May" Mercedes snaps.
"You can't like him-"
"I don't!"
"He's the Master's son. Is that why he was helpin' here today? You're together?"
"No!" Mercedes shrieks. "I don't like him."
"You're lying."
"I'm not...he's not from 'round here. He lives on the Fabray Plantation."
"How did you meet someone on the Fabray Plantation."
"Girls?!"
"Ma'm?" They both answer as Flora the main cook walks in. "Heck got hurt, can one of you go and see 'bout him?"
"I can't, the sight of blood makes me sick" May says pretending to work on the table.
Mercedes agrees to go, leaving Sam stuck in the closet until May finishes the dinning room.
When Mercedes get's to Heck's cabin she finds him resting in a bed where his hand is draped carefully in a sling. He's sleeping, giving Mercedes the opportunity to check him out closer. Heck is a nice looking man with a smooth chestnut coloring; his lips are even and full and he's got a broad nose shape. His body has muscles that seem to just ripple his clothing, but his face is round and young. Mercedes stumbles into a nearby chair causing it to scrape across the wooden floor. Heck's eyes flutter awake and when his eyes focus, and realizes that Mercedes is in the room.
"That you Merce?" He asks unsure.
"Yes I'm here" she answers. "How're you feelin'?"
His lips part giving her a wide smile. "Lot better now you're here."
Mercedes smiles a little moving the chair to sit next to him. "Your ma sent me to check on you."
"That's real sweet of her...to send somethin' so pretty to check on me" Heck says allowing his eyes to warm.
Mercedes shifts uncomfortable; not because she's offended but because she's not used to this level of honesty.
"I'm sorry if I'm makin' you fidget" Heck says quietly. "Sometimes I can't help myself."
Mercedes looks at him strangely and then sighs. "I just don't want you gettin' the wrong idea."
"About what Miss Mercedes?"
"About us Heck" she answers with a deep breath.
Heck twists his mouth. "You're the one who has wrong ideas."
Mercedes eyes spread as she begins to laugh. "How so?"
"You're good woman...you should've been attached to somebody by now-"
"Why?" She cuts him off.
"It's only right" Heck says quick. "Good woman, good man, good life."
"It's not that simple" Mercedes sighs. "What's so good about this life?"
"It's the only one we got" Heck shrugs before grabbing her hand with his good arm. "And I believe makin' the most of it."
Mercedes allows him to hold her hand...the first and only time ever. Heck has tried to hold her hand before but she usually moves away or pulls it out of his grasp so he can't. But this time...she lets him. She's waiting for that wonderful feeling May, and other girls her age constantly talk about but for her, it's never come.
"You need some rest" Mercedes says getting up to leave.
"Sing to me?" Heck asks as she gives him a look. "Please?" He smiles swinging their interlocked hands back and forth. "One little song."
Mercedes sits back down on the chair and begins singing a made up melody she's been singing for weeks. It has no words yet, but the song seems like a bittersweet lullaby and after a few rounds it puts Heck to sleep.
On the other side of the cabin, Sam is furiously jealous.