Princess Ces'alena (63 page)

“Echm! Excuse me.”

Katherine cleared her throat as she stood in the kitchen door to get Lena’s attention, who looked up from where she stood.

“I know Kayleen’s not in tonight, sooo - I must come to you with my request. What is it exactly, you’re preparing?” She asked first.

“Leon caught some nice catfish, I thought catfish stew & rice, collards, squash and biscuits would be nice.” She answered straight away continuing with her preparation.

Katherine stood a moment milling it over in her mind. With the shake of her head, she stated conversationally, “I swear I’ll never get used to the fare you and Kayleen cook. But I suppose that is fine.”

Lena nodded, and still Katherine stood staring at her, obviously with something on her mind. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but our Thomas Sandoval has quite the handsome looks for a Negro man. Smart even…he’ll be quite the catch for the one smart enough to tie him down…don’t you think?”

Lena paused in chopping the greens. She had to make sure she kept her cynicism out of her tone and expression when she replied, “I suppose so.”

Katherine nodded thinking, revealing her thoughts, “All things considered, I think he’d be perfect for you.”

“Despite all that’s taken place between us, I’ll be the first to admit, you do stand out from the other’s here. A man of his taste, no doubt would seek you as a strong interest. What do you think about him?”

“I think he’s all that you’ve said.”

“So, you like him?” Katherine asked hopefully. Lena gripped the knife tightly incredulous to this woman’s nerve. That she actually had the audacity to stand and try to make polite conversation with her concerning Thomas. When they both knew what motivated it.

Katherine needed to remove all possibilities of her and Manny reuniting. “I enjoy his company, yes.” She answered calmly. “So you’ve kept company with him, I see?” Katherine smiled delighted. “I must admit, I’ve never entertained the idea of a slave wedding, but I could see the fun in it!” Katherine gushed. Lena ground her teeth, her movements becoming sharp and tense. “Why, I’ll have to talk to him. He is quite charming, and I’m certain the thought of you becoming his wife would brin-…”

“Ms Katherine, I would appreciate it, if you would not do that.” Lena asked humbly. Katherine stood looking at her a moment, her expression changing from a bright hopeful glow, to one that sent a warning. “And I - would appreciate it - if for once, you would accept your place. Now here is your time - to have a man, all your
own,
and a mighty fine one at that. Do the right thing Lena… he is your own kind, be happy with him - end this fantasy of being something you re not.”

They both stood a moment with eyes staring combatively at one another. As much as she hated doing it, Lena broke it first looking towards the floor with her heart pounding. Katherine smiled, satisfied, she turned and left the kitchen. Lena’s fists balled tightly at her sides as she bit into her lips shaking with her suppressed anger. Suddenly the door flew back open with Katherine standing there. Lena looked up, unable to disguise her resentment.

Katherine smiled brighter loving the upper hand she held. “I forgot… tea please, right away.”

Thomas entered the kitchen from the side door. Looking from one woman to the other, he spoke up, “Ms Katherine, how are you this evening?”

She glowed brightly at the sight of him.

“Why I am just fine, thank you Thomas. How are you this fine night?”

“Couldn’t be better ma’am, couldn’t be better.” He smiled back, flashing perfect white teeth and twinkling eyes. Lena turned walking across the room to fetch the kettle. “ I was just telling Lena how I thought the two of you would make a glorious couple. Wasn’t I just saying that Lena?”

Suddenly they heard excited screaming and yelling from outside, the kitchen door flew wide behind Thomas, it was Leon with tears in his eyes, shaking with excitement.

“Manny
back!!
He back … he ridin’ down the lane now!! Lord he back – he back!!” He shot right back out of sight as quickly as he popped in, screaming the same down the lane.

All three within the kitchen froze where they were. Lena’s face flushed and brightened within seconds as her heart took flight, tears rushing to her eyes. In that quick instant, she forgot the presence of Thomas and Katherine. Thomas saw her expression and felt his heart sink as Katherine cried, “Oh my God. How do I look? How is my hair?” She asked Thomas, ignoring Lena.

“You look devine, Ms Katherine. I’m sure he’ll be pleased!”

Morris was the next to burst into the kitchen, “You hear what they say!! My Manny’s back! My son is home – get out here!!” Morris roared coming up behind Katherine as she spun nervous, grabbing up her skirts to dash for the front door. She spun back once more, trembling, back to the kitchen.

“Lena, as soon as you’re done. You can head on back to your cabin.”

It was clear to Lena, and those who witnessed the instructions why they were given. Morris stood a moment looking from Lena to Thomas, gathering his thoughts, he turned following Katherine to the front door.

“Well, it looks to me like Ms Katherine doesn’t want this Manny to see you. I wonder why?” Lena slammed the kettle on the counter. “Not tonight Thomas! I am not going to get into one of those discussions with you tonight! Leave it alone. Having to contend with her is enough!”

“You mean not tonight, that Manny’s home? You would not have to contend with her, if you would be mine.” He spoke in growing resentment.

“Did you not hear a word that I said, please - not tonight!”

“You can’t wait to see him. You’re dying for just a glimpse…aren’t you? Just one look at him, I saw the look in your eyes when Leon burst in here announcing his return.”

“Thomas, I have a meal to prepare-…”

“Yes, especially now. Manny might be hungry, heaven forbid it be anything but perfect for him.” Thomas went on, feeling the hot stabs of jealously eating at him already.

Lena decided to ignore him. She couldn’t think about him, or what he was feeling when Manny was right outside. There was nothing she could do or say right then to reassure Thomas.

“Well…what do you have to say?” He pushed further.

“What do I have to say?!” She shot, at the end of her patience with him. “You’ve yet to meet your master - why don’t you go do so!”

Anger seared through him like a hot rapier! He felt instant fire within at her words, charging up to her, grabbing her arm to snatch her around to him. “No man - is my master! I am free! I play this game because it is convenient for what I do! He - does not own me! No man owns me! Do not you call him - my master – again - ever!”

He let go of her arm and walked out of the kitchen. He would gather with the others, and within the crowd…he would take a look at his -
“master”
.

Lena sighed, regretting her words. Thomas was a man of pride, and she lashed out at him unfairly. She wished she could take back her words, but too much was happening in her life. She couldn’t make up her mind one way or the other. What he wanted from her, she could not bring herself to give. Now that Manny was back, she wasn’t sure she ever could.

She closed her eyes hearing everyone cheer his return and call to him. A sob forced its way up. She wanted to be there — she wanted to be a part of his homecoming, the way she used to be. But not this time, everything had changed.

Manny rode up to a very cheerful crowd of friends and family.

Katherine was standing on the porch, and Morris came down grinning from ear to ear, so happy his son was home. Manny felt strange after being gone for so long. He’d forgotten how much these people meant to him, and also realized just how much he missed and needed having them around to joke with. They - all the faces smiling at him now… were his family, where his roots ran the deepest. His smile was bright as he stopped his horse in their midst, all patting him on the legs and practically pulling him off the horse. For the first time in a long time, their cheerfulness made him laugh.

Jordan, Henry and Leon were moist eyed so happy were they to see him. When Manny came face to face with his life long friend they embraced with a bear hug and in turn, lifted each other off the ground. Both laughing and grunting in their masculine bonding. Because of those closest to Manny surrounding him, Morris couldn’t get through and let his displeasure be known.

“Get - the hell - outa my way!” He grumbled wedging himself through.

Manny laughed seeing his father’s expression, and had to admit…that he really missed him.

When Morris finally made it to him, their eyes met, and with a sigh, Manny enfolded his father in his arms and squeezed him tightly. Morris returned it and fought hard to hide his tears.

“I missed you ol’man…I really did.”

“Well…echm, you home now…” Morris replied gruffly, struggling with the embarrassment he felt of his public display, “…- and - well… it’s where you belong!”

“Thank you father; it’s good to be back.” Manny returned, as Morris stared at the scar on his son’s cheek, which disappeared down into his beard parting it where the scar continued to the edge of his jaw line. An inch higher would have placed it right at his left lower eye lid. It ran the length of his left cheek to the bottom of his jaw. Making Morris wonder, what had happened to his son while away from home? He was darker in coloring, deeply tanned and more intensely featured. As if he’d been under some great strain. He noted that he was a different man, still his son…but something about him was tangibly altered. How could a little over two years change a person so? He contemplated this leading the way to the porch, “Come on in the house son-…Oh! Wait, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Morris stood on the porch, turning to look among the many dark faces. The crowd was starting to disperse and return to where they came from. Then he spotted Thomas.

“Thomas, come on over here son - …” Manny’s head turned with a jolt to look at his father, shocked that he would use such an endearment towards one of the slaves. “…-I want you to meet my boy, Manny.”

Thomas sauntered up with a wry smile playing across his face as he stopped before, the famous Maynard Ramsey Webster.

“Manny, this fine young man is Thomas, best thing I ever brought home from a poker game!” Morris boasted proudly. Again, Manny turned a stunned look to his father, then slowly back to Thomas…who suppressed a grin tugging at his mouth.

Manny’s eyes narrowed at the crooked grin. There was something about this man that set Manny’s guard up right at the start. For one thing, he was not dressed as the others. He cut quite the figure in his clean white, ruffle front shirt, under the wine colored satin vest and snug fitting black breeches, white stockings and black shoes with their gold buckles. He brought to Manny’s mind the fancy adorned dandy’s of New Orleans. There was also just a tad bit of possessive jealousy that his father so openly declared such a liking for this man, when he had treated the other slaves as less than human in the past.

“Thomas, this is my son… and I just know, the two of you gone get along just fine!”

“Well if he’s anything like his father, it’s a certainty. May - nard …? …pleasure to meet you.” Thomas smiled smugly, taking a shot at his name, while offering his hand for a shake in greeting.

Manny’s right brow rose above narrowed, intensely blue eyes, getting the drift in subtle vibes of where they stood. Something in the air surrounding them both, made him aware, that somehow, this man was his rival — question was, for what?

Manny’s smile in return did not reach his eyes, as he corrected Thomas, “Manny – that is what everyone calls me; Manny.” He repeated to get the point across, ignoring the hand extended.

Thomas shrugged with a grin thinking,
‘Fine with me big guy. It seems to me, you’ve read me…as well as I have you. And so, the battle begins…and may the better man win.’

Morris noticed, not understanding what the problem was, and went on to explain, “Thomas is my official accountant. He’s an educated Negro. Reads, writes, does figures…got all the papers in tip top shape.” He continued now that they were on the porch heading for the front door.

Leon was leading Manny’s horse away after he’d put the kit bag on the porch. “Negro? What happened to nigga?” Manny asked, picking it up. Morris stammered embarrassed by his son’s playful stab at exposing the bigot in him. “Now son, maybe that’s not such a nice word after all.”

“I see. Seems things have changed in my absence. Some for the better, and some…” He glanced towards Thomas. “…we shall see.”

Morris was standing at the door, where Katherine patiently waited to catch his notice, Manny reached the door, and only paused to say, “Hello Katherine.”

“Welcome home Manny. We - …” She stopped, because he passed her entering the house without giving so much as a second thought to her greeting him.

Thomas looked from her to Manny; this was not good. With his own eyes he could see that there was no affection for her from Manny. Not to mention entering the house before her, instead of standing aside to let her in first. Katherine swallowed back her embarrassment as Morris and Thomas let her follow Manny into the foyer.

Kayleen was standing at the opening of the hallway waiting to see him. When his eyes set on her, his first words were, “I’m home.” He wasn’t sure how she would receive him. Kayleen didn’t hesitate, she went straight to him, the look in her eyes spoke volumes. “Boy where you been? Lord look at you? What happen to you? You been playin’ pirate or something?” She fussed hugging him tightly to her.

Manny blushed, knowing that although she was kidding, little did she know…how true those words were.