Flight of Fancy: Cora's Daughters (31 page)

There had been another young one like him, a little girl – a white little girl. They were close playmates, or had been. What Asa remembered and told Asiza, was that he’d awakened to screams in the night. Screams, horror, fire, shots – his mother’s eyes on him – fixed open and dead – her hand reaching out for him. All the others, white as well, dead. His playmate, the little girl, Julie – screaming his name as she was taken away.

“Mosessssss…”  

Asiza had been stunned by his name, and found it ironic that she and Broc had discussed Moses, because of God choosing him, even after he’d found himself a black wife. Her husband loved the story of Moses, only for her to learn that he’d rescued a Moses. Surprised by it, she’d asked him, “Who name you Moses?”

“My daddy gave me that name. He and my mama said, when I grew up, I was supposed to do all in my power, to – free my people.”

Tears flooded her eyes. Asiza had grabbed him to her breasts and hugged him tightly, crying for all that he’d gone through.

Crying for all that she had gone through. Sobbing for all that those like her and him had and would continue to go through. That knowledge had empowered her, to be determined that her freedom would come to mean something other than just - her own freedom.

Surely this was a sign? It had to be – there was more to being free, than freeing oneself. His family had died, to free others. Now as his new mother, Asiza would live and raise him, to do the same. As well set the example by her own deeds.

Ms. Della was doing her part.

Asiza was determined to be another cutting tool to break those chains that bound them to slavery. She was also determined to make sure, to instill in Asa, or Moses, all that his parents had been determined that he be.

Slowly she came to realize, to be successful in one’s freedom was a privilege. To ignore those still in bondage because she was free – was a sin. The more thought she gave it, the more she came to realize, that the original Moses stood as a model that all should strive to follow. She thought, surely Moses was not the only vessel to freedom, they all were, if they
chose
to be. Although he was free – he went back. She knew that she could not continue to go forward without turning back. Somehow, some way… she too would see a way to free others – otherwise, how could she be happy and find peace in her own freedom?

A tap, tap, tap… sounded at their door.

Asiza looked up, “Come in.”

Broc peeked in at them, “Just me…” He stepped in.

They both jumped out of the bed, happy and surprised to see him, running to him, “You come t’get us?” Asiza asked.

“Nooo… not yet.” He returned, kissing her brow, slipping past them, smiling down at Asa. “I’m leaving this here, with you. Tell no one about it, hear me? Well, Ms. Della be one, that’s fine.” He asked her, looking to Asa. Broc was kneeling now, pushing his bag under her bed.

They stood aside, both nodding.

“Thought you come t’get us.” Asiza admitted disappointed.

He stood, “I’m workin’ on it ‘Seeza… not yet. I came to give you these papers – this our properties - the map, where you can find it, where you can find me. You keep it safe – you hear?”

“Why?” Asiza asked. Broc walked up to them, putting his arms around her, hugging her tight – squeezing Asa’s shoulder.

He didn’t speak right away, just held them against him. He realized he’d made a hard way for himself - but he saw Asiza, and Asa as his given to him by God. He knew it was true, because they were chained hard and fast to the very core of his guts.

All that he did, he did for them.

“Just in case – anything happen to me, I wanna make sure, you can take care’o’yer’self … take care’o’Asa.”

“Take us wit’you Broc.”

“No…” He kissed her then, quick, deep and filled with passion. Letting her go, he picked up Asa, “Remember…”

“Take care of her.” Asa finished for him, smiling. He was old and wise beyond his years Broc realized staring deeply into the young ones eyes. “I will.” Asa finished.

“Yes, I know you will. Remember, no one is to know about what I brought to you.”

“No one.” Asa agreed once more.

Broc hugged him, his eyes went to Asiza, “When all is done, I’ll be back for you, promise.”

“Can’t you stay – just a bit? See how I’m readin’?” Asiza pleaded.

Broc sighed, caressing her cheek. “I gotta get back. Remember that place, the cabin we found?”

Asiza nodded that she did.

“Where you found what is now ours?”

Again, she nodded that she understood.

“Hide all I have given you, the same.” He leaned forward, giving her another kiss and strode determinedly from their room. He hoped for the time being, she would put them all away and not read them, or else, she would know what he’d done back in Virginia.

Asiza sighed, looked down at Asa and then towards her bed. She knew what he wanted her to do – and set about thinking of what she would need to do so.

Days went by, turning into weeks, and weeks into months.

Asiza soon understood why Broc refused to take her and Asa with him. The nights were freezing cold. Winds blew that seemed to cut right through one. Even with the sun full up, the days gradually followed suit, feeling the same. Not a day went by that she didn’t worry over him. They had land and property, she had the paper work proving it, yet she hadn’t a clue of how to find him with it. She supposed that was what her staying there and learning was all about.

Still, if worse came to worse, if she needed to find him – someone would be able to by the information she stored away safe. 

Ms. Della kept saying it would be snowing soon. While growing up and living at Clover Grove, Asiza had seen frost on the ground, and the occasional flakes of snow, but nothing had ever accumulated. With the talk going around and the preparation Ms. Della worked hard seeing to, she kept looking towards the sky for this heavy snow to arrive.

Wood was being cut by Newt and Bentley – they kept the face cords stacked high. All the ladies worked to clear a corner in their rooms to bring up logs to pile up so there was a ready supply to keep their fires going. Asa, ever mindful of his promise to Broc, made sure there was plenty in their room.

Emma Byrd moped about because her man hadn’t returned to visit her in some time. At first, she fretted about him possibly coming when her face was bruised, but it had long since healed - with him nowhere to be seen. She also resented seeing Asiza’s man coming to see them - which was made worse by having to watch her wrap the back of her gold wedding ring to fit her finger.

She burned with envy seeing all the proof of how her man was seeing after her. On top of that, Emma didn’t appreciate her wearing the simple garments as the others did when everyone knew she didn’t have to. Of all the women in the boarding house, they were the only two who could afford their own clothing - tailored dresses.

Emma had two gowns to switch back and forth from – and switch she did – not wishing to be caught dead in the simple, black and white. She resented Asiza having so many pretty gowns and not wearing any of them.   

One day, a number of the ladies were in Ms. Della’s front office – which served as their lounge and study room. It offered the most light out of all the rooms they used including the sun room at that time of the year. Asiza sat trying to read a book from the shelf and glanced up with her eyes going to Emma. She was sitting on a sofa mending the shawl for one of her two gowns. Uncomfortable with the tension still between them, she tried once more to mend the rift by offering her some advice,

“Days move on quick an’ he be back befoe' you know it if you get into schoolin’. You look up, he’ah be here.”

“Don’t need no schoolin’, jus’need my man.” Emma drawled nastily, rolling her eyes away from Asiza. Asiza sat a moment, exhaling with an audible sigh, “What it take fo’you t’forgive me Emma?”

“Ain’ nothin’ you can do – jus’ stay…” Suddenly Emma stopped, and having second thoughts, looked over at Asiza. “Gimme one o’your gowns. Never been worn, accessories an’ all, boots too. Matching cape coat, an’ bonnet. Do that, I’ah fo’give you.”

Asiza hadn’t expected that, but then – “things” – had never meant so much to her, as it obviously did to Emma Byrd. Because of that, she nodded, “I do it. I go fetch’em now.”

“Wanna pick it m’self – not somethin’ you’on like and toss t’me.”

Millie, Ruth and some of the others were present to hear. Ruth jumped to her feet and went looking for Ms. Della to tell her what Emma Byrd was up to now. Millie couldn’t believe Asiza was going to let this ungrateful woman look through her fine things to pick the best from because she gave her a good whipping. However, right before her eyes, Asiza stood and left their table to lead the way. 

“Asiza – no! Those things are yours, bought by your husband, don’t give that cow anything she hasn’t worked for. She don’t deserve it.”

Emma turned and snapped, “What she do’t’work fo’it? ‘Sides, I ain’t no cow - you min’ what's yo’s – an’ leave us be!” and back to Asiza, “Come on, you want me t’forgive you don'you?”

Millie stood hot, glaring at Emma and then looking towards Asiza, “Let her pout on Asiza – you don’t have to give your nice pretty things.”

Asiza smiled, “They jus’ thangs Millie, tha’s all. I give m’word.” She turned and led the way out of the office, down the hall and up the stairs to her room. As she began pulling them out, Emma’s face lit up bright as a barn fire burning in the night. She had no idea what beautiful gowns Asiza had tucked away in her room. Looking over her things, she realized that her own gowns could not compare to these. It was plain to see, the gowns being laid before her were of the latest fashion. As for the ones she was given, they were not – and she began wondering about her man, Grayson Tanner. He’d told her the two gowns he brought to her - were brand-new of the latest fashion.

Recalling his words sent the heat of envy and contempt through her once again.

Forgetting him for the moment, she couldn’t believe her eyes as she was surrounded by rich and vibrant fabrics, silks, lace, floral brocade and satin. Never had her eyes seen such an assortment, for all that she saw, it made her hate Asiza that much more. However, not hate her so much that she would pass the chance of getting something fancy and new. Her joy was so, she could barely hold still.

Asiza laid them out, one and all. They covered both beds and hung about the room wherever she could find a place. Emma danced from one to the others as if high from being in their midst. “Oh m’goodness, they so pretty – they all so pretty – can’t make up m’mind!” She exclaimed, palming her cheeks in heightened glee.

Asiza pointed to one that was her favorite, a stunning, satiny sage green.

The woman who made them said, it would bring out the green in her eyes and so she’d chosen it. It came with a complete ensemble – to her, it was the best of them all – she’d wanted to wear it when she saw Broc again.

She wanted to see the look on his face with her wearing it. That was why she offered it to Emma, she really did want to patch things up. She wanted to do better and be a better person, which meant giving your very best.

“I like it…thank it look pretty on me?” Emma asked, breathless. “Somethin’ I can wear to that dance… gots’ta look my bes’.”

“I do – it’ah look real pretty.”

Emma stood, touching the fabric, imagining herself in it. “This the one… I take it. Want every thang that go wit’ it.”

Della tapped at Asiza’s door.

“Come in.” Asiza called out to her.

When Della opened the door, it was to see Emma Byrd preening before Asiza’s long mirror, holding the sage satin dress against her, turning this way and that.

“You see me Ms. Della? Asiza give me this here gown t’prove she regretin’ what she done’t’me.” She smiled, satisfied with the turn of events. “I’m thankin’, she hurt me so bad, it be betta’ she gimme two. One fo’ the dance, one fo’ everyday.” She glanced sideways with calculating eyes, looking from Della to Asiza. Della felt her face burn with anger, “I think that one you clutching so tightly, is plenty enough, Emma Byrd. Be happy for that.”

The look that came to Emma’s face turned instantly ugly, “Ain’ up t’you – up to Asiza – she wanna gimme two, she can.”

Della looked from Emma to Asiza, “Asiza, that gown alone, all by itself – is enough. Is it true, you’re going to give her the accessories as well?”

“They go wit’it.” Asiza answered.

“Asiza, giving gifts for forgiveness, should go to the Lord. Because he truly forgives – he sincerely loves us. Giving gifts to fellow humans to
buy
forgiveness when there is no love for others found in them, thus no forgiveness, is a waste. I would ask you to reconsider this.”

Asiza smiled, “Give m’word Ms. Della, can’t go back on’it.”

“’Sides, this ain’t non’o’yo concern, this atween me and Asiza.” Emma declared.

Della turned to her, seething, and through clenched teeth spoke her mind, “Emma Byrd, you are one ugly woman.”

“Truly you are – selfish, greedy and without honor. Soon as your
man
returns, he should set you up elsewhere.”