Yellow Wife(17)

“Yes,” she croaked. “What calls for so much racket?”

“It’s Snitch and I needs to talk to you. Are you all right in there?”

We followed him, and Lovie moved to speak through the door.

“Missus, are you proper?”

Snitch knocked again. “I needs a word now.”

“Come in.”

Lovie and I went after Snitch into Missus’s chambers. She had the covers pulled up to her chin and her hair could have used a comb.

“What is the meaning of this unplanned visit?” she barked.

Snitch removed his hat and explained that he had not seen Essex in a few days. “The yella girl said you sent him on an errand and I want confirmation.”

Missus sat up in her bed. “That was a few days ago.”

“I did not know you wrote the pass.”

“My husband pays you finely to make everything that happens with our property your business.”

“No sighting of him is why I am here, ma’am. Thinking he might of gon’ astray.”

Missus looked at Lovie and then me. “Ninny, where is Essex?”

“It is like you said, Missus, he rode out to check on Master Jacob at the doctor’s house. Perhaps Master asked Essex to stay with him until he felt well enough to travel home.”

She threw back her covers, then thought better of it and pulled them back over her. “You make it your immediate duty to alert the patroller,” she barked at Snitch. “He is my best nigger and I want him back here.”

Lovie showed Snitch out, and Missus fixed her eyes on me. “My mama died last night.”

Missus Delphina brought her hands to her mouth. I did not know if she hid a smile or shock. “Lord have mercy on this plantation. How much more can a mistress take in one day?”

She pushed back her blankets. “Tell Hope to get the men to dig a grave. A small service can be held Saturday night after the work is done.”

“Yes, Missus.”

She looked at me. “Ninny, I cannot imagine how you feel, but there is work to be done. So stop moping and help me dress so that I can get this place back under control.”

Missus had me pull her corset extra tight, but I could still see the puffiness around her middle. It made me remember the tan baby boy and what she had done to him, and to Mama by not calling for the doctor. Disdain for her settled in my fingers, and I yanked on her hair as I brushed it.

“Ow!” She tried to grab the brush, but I held it tightly in my fist.

“Sorry, it got tangled.”

“Watch it, girl.” She bumped me with her shoulder.

I removed the brush and swept her hair into a simple twist. Once she felt satisfied with her appearance, I walked after her downstairs. Outside she located Snitch and ordered him to ring the bell.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Five rings meant a slave had escaped the plantation. In a matter of minutes, the ones from Lowtown hustled up the hill while thick pillowy clouds hovered overhead. Standing at the edge of the porch, Missus Delphina clasped her hands together and looked down at all who had gathered. Thirty-six of us now since Rachel, Mama, and Essex were gone.

“Essex Henry has gone astray. If you know anything about his disappearance, please step forward.”

Parrott removed his hat. “Missus, he prob’ly on his way. Got held up by them patrollers. Gave me a hard time when I was carryin’ back Ruth.”

Just her name on his lips made me hug my waist.

“Anyone else?”

Snitch clutched the whip that hung down to his hip. “That yella gal know something ’bout it. Them two was quite close. Let me take her to Lowtown for a bit. Sure I get some information out of her. More than she say?”

“You well know that Master Jacob forbids this child to be whipped.”

“Got other ways to make her talk ’sides whipping,” he snorted.

“Thank you, Mister Snitch. Anyone else?” No one else spoke.

“Fine.” She gripped the railing with both hands. “No more rations will be given out until Essex is returned. You want to keep secrets, then you will starve.” She turned on her heels and slammed the door behind her.

The lot of the field hands looked stunned. Cutting off their rations served as a cruel punishment. Even with the scraps that Aunt Hope sent down at night, it was not enough to feed everyone. I watched as folks headed back down the hill, many with sloped backs and shuffling feet. When I finished my morning chores in the house, Lovie sent me to can fruit and vegetables for the winter.

Ordinarily it was not my job, but it was a mindless task. There were strawberries, blueberries, peas, green beans, and cucumbers. I washed then soaked each fruit in a barrel with brine. Then I lugged the heavy barrels down to the root cellar, where they would stay until we needed them. The cellar was cold and dark, and once the door closed behind me, my knees sank into the dirt floor. Hurt rose up in my throat and my lungs did not want to breathe. My mouth opened and I grunted out my pain. I cried and howled and groaned until there was nothing left inside of me. Then I opened the door and threw up.

On my pallet that night, I felt three times my age. For the first time in a while, I fell into an immediate sleep. Then I heard Mama. Her husky voice addressed me, but I could not understand her words. I shifted my body in her direction, fighting hard to take her in. As I was on the cusp of connecting, a splash of wetness drenched my hair and gown. My eyes fluttered opened, and Missus Delphina stood over me, her empty chamber pot on her hip. My eyes burned with shock and disbelief.