Princess Ces'alena (17 page)

“I showed him my son, and said,
“He has your eyes daddy… he has your eyes.”
She smiled remembering. “He stepped aside and let me in, and my mother cried holding me, and my son. He warmed to Lil’Bear with our every visit…and now…loves him as if nothing had ever been wrong with us.”

Manny sat staring at her. She had fought for what she believed in and won. He couldn’t help but look at himself… but then, it was different for him. He was in complete control of everything in his world. All that he wanted and needed was right there at Webster Fields at his disposal. And - so what! He had to make a sacrifice to keep things calm there. Everyone would be happy, well…maybe not happy…but content. “You were always so brave, courageous…willing to fight for what was right. I admire that about you.”

“Thank you Manny, and what about you? What is going on in your life?”

“Nothing important. I’ll be getting married before the year is up.” He announced with glib sarcasm.

“What? - Wait…nothing important? Married before the year is up? Manny? What’s going on here?” She asked immediately suspicious of this,
“nothing important”
announcement.

He shook his head leaning back in his chair; quiet for the moment as Gracie placed their meals before them. “Thank you.” They stated together. As soon as Gracie was out of earshot, Josey leaned forward. “Manny? What’s going on? Have you - I mean…is there someone in the family way?” She whispered. Manny had to chuckle, the look on her face, and the irony of the statement. Lena had been in the family way by him three times…but there was no furious father to force his hand there. “No, it is simply something I must do. It is one of the reasons I’m in town. I’m posting notices of a grand outdoor event to choose a wife you see.”

“What? Do you mean to tell me you have yet to meet her?” Josey asked wide eyed.

Manny was cutting into a steak nodding he answered. “That’s about right. Morris seems to think I’m taking too much time finding a decent wife, so he’s come up with the idea of throwing a big to do for me to choose from all the eligible maidens you see. Taken right out of the pages of,
‘Charles Perrault’s - Contes de ma Mere L’Oye’
and of course, I get to be the prince.” Finishing that line, he popped the meaty square into his mouth. “Close your mouth Josey, and eat your food, it’s growing cold.” Manny observed cutting another piece off.

“Why that’s absolutely absurd! Surely you’re not going to follow through with it! I mean, how could you?” Josey commented stunned. She couldn’t believe it.

“Want mine?” He asked the boy, who made a face quickly shaking his head. “They’re horrid.” Lil’bear whispered. “Eat your vegetables Joseph!” She ordered never taking her eyes off of Manny.

“All right, what is he holding over your head to make you do something so ridiculous! I know you Maynard Ramsey Webster. I know you would never be forced into anything you don’t want to do. So what is going on here?”

“If I could enlighten you, I would.”

“There’s nothing simple, about marrying someone for the sake of blackmail. What about love? What about that person out there you were
‘meant’
to be with? What will happen when she comes along and you’re already married?”

“Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky and find her at the party. Don’t worry over me, what I do now, will help keep peace for the future happiness of all those involved. That is all I can say, it is for the best.”

Josey sat forward thinking, sampling her food that she was truly not interested in consuming. She loved Manny…he had been the older brother or sibling she never had. Something told her, there was a lot more to what was going on than what he was willing to share. But then, he’d always been that way. Fork in hand, she sat moving her food around on her plate, she looked up at him. He was staring at her.

“Don’t do this Manny.”

“Please Josey…if there was any way of not doing it, I would…but there is no way.”

“There’s always another way Manny, problem is, we sometimes don’t choose it - well, because…that way - the other way, is always harder than the easier route we chose.”

“Trust me, there’s nothing easy about what I’m going to do.” He defended. Again she lapsed into silence. She couldn’t believe he was allowing Morris to manipulate him to this end. There had to be one hell of a reason why he was letting him. Her curiosity was eating her alive. She respected him, and their friendship enough to leave it alone but not before she said this one last thing to him. Because she doubted, that whoever the woman turned out to be, she would be able to make him happy. But then, she was looking at it from a negative point of view. As far as she knew, he wasn’t seriously in love with anyone, so seeing that to be the situation; maybe she would have a chance; but just in case, she would leave him with this one thought. “Manny, you’re like a brother to me. And even though it’s been years since we’ve seen each other…”

“…the feelings, thoughts, talks and good times we shared together, stay in my mind. I pray that what I’m about to say to you, I say right. I’ve heard my husband say it a few times here and there. And I’ve always believed it to be true. Let’s hope I say this right, he says,
“He who avoids suffering today, in his test of life for what his quest is to be, will cry out tomorrow, a thousand times in agony, for he has failed to fulfill what was his life’s destiny.”
Are you understanding what that means?” She asked when he gave no reaction.

Manny was silent as the saying went through his mind. He wasn’t offended by what she said…he knew she meant well. If she knew what he was up against, she would understand and see that this was the only way. Because of his silence, concern made her ask, “I haven’t offended you have I?” Manny smiled, “Of course not.”

“Good, I should get going. I was in town to pick up several crates of books my mother ordered for me. I teach in my husband’s village…and it is hard getting books; I’ve been waiting for sometime for them.”

“Books? What kind of books?” He asked interested.

“Oh…reading books. Math - figures, and some other books as well. She ordered me slates and chalk too, so I’m really excited about picking them up.”

Manny’s eyes grew large. “Could I possibly join you in picking them up? And perhaps pay you for one of everything you’ve ordered?”

* * *

The following weeks were filled with preparation for the up and coming event. Bands were posted, for all to attend within the surrounding counties. With this in mind, the plantation was as busy as a bee hive to make all the necessary arrangements. A giant platform was being constructed in the wide open yard behind the mansion close to the woods. Safety banisters and three open corners for steps to walk on or off the platform were added for the structure that was built two feet off the ground. A canvas covered the entire area supported by beams and surrounding columns placed at wide intervals supporting the banister. Musicians were advertised for, and before long, they received a response for the calling…things were coming together, if not slowly.

The lawn to one side of the platform was arranged with small tea tables and seats. As progress was made, the excitement grew among the servants and field hands who helped in the preparation. Food and drink of a great variety was being planned by Kayleen, Cora, Ruby and Mazie, with Lena pitching in to help, but she did not share in the excitement.

For the up and coming event, the servants attending the guest would be turned out in their finest. Light cotton suits with cut away waist coats; of maroon with cream color ruffled fronts, long sleeve shirts with ruffled cuffs and wearing them would be the men servants. Ferrus, Sammy, Jordan, Leon and Mike - who would be helping Ferrus with the drinks.

In the weeks following the incident with the boys and old man Grady, Mike was sticking close to Ferrus. Both enjoyed each others company because Ferrus always had time for him, whether teaching him new songs…how to dance, or telling him stories. If he wasn’t with Ferrus, he was with Leon and Johnnypoe…but first, his mornings were spent with his father who made it a point to give him time in each of the books he purchased from Josephine.

Mike enjoyed that time, because his father made it easy for him to learn. Every so often, his mother would join as well. There was a growing tension between his father and mother…one that had never been there before. Although he never said anything to either, he knew it was because his father would be marrying and bringing a new missus to Webster Fields. Were he to admit his true feelings, he was glad, he was tired of the shame he felt when over hearing the others talk about her, and what she was to the master. Once he married and left her alone it would be for the best of them all. His mother was neither of the things people called her, and now…that would end with him marrying.

As for the women helping in the preparation of the big event, they were all feeling the tension from Lena being in the room. She was solemn, silent and withdrawn during the whole event. She did her part in the preparation and held her head high, no matter how often she fought tears or humiliation. The entire time, she moved from one area to another helping any and all that she could. In the kitchen she did her part; she joined in the sewing circle making the new garbs for the women and herself. She did flower arrangements and centerpieces for the tables. Her objective was to keep moving and pretend that none of it offended her, when everything connected to it offended her.

Manny struggled to stay away from her, and when he finally gave in to his need for her, she fought him tooth and nail. No amount of force nor gentleness worked…her rejection was final. Hissing and bitter, “I – said –
no!
”

He pushed one time too many and found himself recovering from a hard ringing slap to his face that drove the point home. The anger, pain and humiliation in her eyes that glared sharply at him, moist with tears could not be mistaken; she wanted no part of him. One thing he would never do, was hurt her while forcing her, and he knew, this time would be different, he would have to force her, as angry as she was, he would have to hurt her. He couldn’t do it, not with this over their heads. In the end, he backed away, forced to accept the changes already coming to his life, feeling something so powerful knotting up in his chest, he rubbed there in an attempt to soothe it … unsuccessfully.

Lena was overcome with the agony of her pain, but she refused to shed a tear no matter how many times they surfaced, threatening to spill over, nor would she beg him. While she understood his reasons for doing it… she couldn’t swallow the lump of shame in her throat, nor dislodge it from the center of her chest. It was best that she stay away from him. After the slap to his face, as much as he hated doing so, he helped keep the growing distance between them.

An evening growing closer to the event, Lena sat in the sewing circle with the other women who did seamstress work on the plantation. They were adding the final touches to the uniforms the women servants would be wearing. Kayleen, Cora, Ruby, Mazie and Lena would all wear wide full flowing maroon skirts and cream colored blouses with short puffed sleeves. Cream color aprons with fancy lace trimming them, and for their heads, maroon bandannas with cream lace. They all chatted about this and that when finally Mary in her forthright boldness informed Lena, “I hear thoo’ the grapevine Gabriel gone be askin’ to call on you soon.” Everyone sitting in the circle quieted and looked at Lena. She couldn’t move, nor speak. She could only stare at Mary feeling her ears ring…following with the closing of her throat.

“Why you look so surprise? You ain’t think you was gone keep that white man to yo’self fo’ever did ya? You may walk around here like you better than us, but - you ain’t! You wasn’t nothin’ but nookie for the master just like the rest, only difference, he keep you a bit longer, but it’s over now.” She smiled, she had been wanting this day to come for sometime, now that it had, she had the satisfaction of being the one to bring Lena back to earth.

No one else said a word. Some felt as Mary did, other’s felt ashamed that she could say such a thing. Lena looked away, gathered up what was hers for the uniform and left. The night was falling, she could hear sawing and hammering in the distance as she walked to her cabin. Mike was running down the lane from direction of their cabin looking for her. “Mama, guess what?” Setting aside her feelings from what just transpired she smiled down at her son.

“What my son?”

“Me and Ferrus is gonna dance at the party. He been showing me how to dance like him…and I’m good. He says I am!”

“Of course you are sweetie…of course you are.” She hugged him close, both in companionable steps with him under her left arm, the unfinished uniform over the right. Once more, she fought back those damnable tears.

By the time all arrangements were made, four weeks passed before the night of the large gathering. Finally, that night arrived, with Ferrus serving the champagne, bourbon, and ale, while Mike served the punch, lemonade and tea. The serving tables were set up with a table cloth matching the servants clothing of maroon with a cream inlay and lace edging. All the food that had been prepared was set out with Kayleen, Cora, Lena and Ruby there to serve the guest. The turn out was a bit more than expected, but they were prepared by making sure there was an abundance.