Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House(88)



“How well you are doing! It is wonderful to see you sitting in a chair,” I said.

“It’s my first time up! I almost fainted,” she said with some pride. “It was fortunate that Hester’s friend Sukey was here to help catch me.”

I looked at Hester. “She is your friend?”

Hester promptly busied herself straightening the bedcover.

“They came to this place together,” Addy said. “Isn’t that true, Hester?”

Hester kept her attention on the red quilt that she was smoothing. “We know each other a long time,” she said.

“Hester won’t tell me why Sukey won’t speak,” Addy complained.

There was an awkward silence in the room. “I don’t talk about that,” Hester finally said.

“All I want to know is why she won’t talk,” Addy argued.

“She jus’ can’t, is all,” Hester said.

“Does she not like me, or is that the way she is with everyone?” Addy asked.

“She don’t talk to nobody,” said Hester.

“But why won’t she?” Addy persisted.

“?’Cause she can’t,” Hester said, her tone of voice issuing a warning that Addy disregarded.

“But why won’t you tell me, Hester?” she pushed.

“That none a your business!” Hester said in a voice so harsh that the girl sat back in surprise. When Addy’s eyes watered, Hester spoke more gently.

“Miss Addy, I don’t mean to talk to you like that. I’m just wantin’ you to get better so we can get home, is all. I don’t like being back at this place.”

Addy was ready to take advantage of the opportunity. “All I wanted to know was why that woman won’t talk to me,” she said, actually sounding contrite.

Hester looked at me helplessly before she turned back to Addy. “She won’t talk ’cause she can’t. They take out her tongue.”

In the heat of the room, a chill traveled the length of my body. Addy’s mouth opened and then closed again. “I want to go back to bed,” she said weakly.


I HONORED MR. Spencer’s request and returned to visit with Addy over the next couple of days. On my way to the big house, I passed by the hospital where I knew Pan waited, though I dared not make contact with him.

I struggled with fear for my own safety and continually fought myself over wanting to make a quick escape on my own. But then I would recall the knotty feel of the long scar on Pan’s head that marked his abuse, and fury would renew my resolve. As soon as Addy was home, I would meet with Thomas and offer a purse he could not refuse.

On Thursday afternoon I was with Addy longer than usual and stayed to play chess with her until her doctor arrived. It seemed he would never come, but when he finally did, I made my exit. It was then, while hurrying down the back porch steps, that I met Bill Thomas for the first time.

Thomas was a tall man, and his stride corresponded to the length of his legs. Had I met him in a public square, I might have given him notice, for he was a strikingly handsome man who carried himself with an authority that reflected undisputed power. Clothed in various shades of brown, he wore a low-slung leather belt from which hung a handgun and, next to it, a treacherous-looking sheathed knife. He nodded in my direction but would have kept on walking had I not stepped out in his path. “Good day,” I greeted him.

“And who are you?” he asked.

“My name is James Burton. I am an artist, and I am visiting with the Spencers.”

“I see,” he said.

“And you are Bill Thomas?” I asked in a friendly voice, for he did not appear the brute I had expected.

He nodded, then looked toward the house. “How’s the girl?”

“She appears to be doing well,” I said. “I believe that we will be able to take her home soon.”

“Sooner the better,” he said.

I duly noted the cold comment but saw an opportunity and took it. “I’ve been wanting to meet you,” I said.

“And why’s that?”

“As I mentioned earlier, I am an artist, here to paint birds for the museum in Philadelphia.”

“What’s that got to do with me?” he asked.

I mustered as optimistic a tone as I could. “I was hoping to solicit your help. Since my arrival, I have come to realize that I will be needing some assistance when I am out in the field. I specifically need someone to tote my supplies and help me out when I travel, as I foolishly left my valet at home. This summer heat is more brutal than I expected, but your Negroes seem to be able to tolerate it well.”

He grunted.

“I thought that I might be able to purchase a young man from you,” I added quickly.

He smirked. “I thought you people up there didn’t believe in payin’ money for nigras.”

“Not everyone thinks along those lines,” I said.

“Uh-huh,” he said. “So what are you wanting from me?”

“When I was down in your hospital the other day, I saw a young boy who I thought might work out,” I said. Made uncomfortable by his stare, I glanced toward the building.

He waited for me to turn back. “And which one is that?” he asked.

I tried to sound as offhand as I could. “He’s small, thin, but I didn’t get his name. He was helping that Sukey woman out.”

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