THE MAGAZINE THAT CHANGED LIVES
While Donovan was at home trying to explain what he may have seen to Theenda, on the plantation, a fourteen-year-old boy, named Cush, found the Essence Magazine. Cush showed it to his father, Lee, and grandma, Lillie.
*******
The slaves worked twelve hours six days a week. The two overseer’s, Roy and Fred, began work before the slaves since they had to get up, get dressed, go to the slave quarters ring a bell and yell wake up, and open the slave gate. The slaves were always up, they wanted to see the overseers do more than sit on their horses watching them.
Usually, the two overseers sat quiet, but in February 2017, they were happy and chatty, that year was their last year being held hostage on the plantation. They were being released off the plantation January 2018. Fred said, “we’ve been here thirty-seven' years, we were hired 1980, man we worst’ twenty years old. Can you magine' how da' world look now?” Fred asked.
Roy said, “they can keep my woman that Massa’s daddy, pick for me.”
Fred shook his head in agreement, “mine too. She neva' got pregnant, I wonder why.”
Roy said, “we white men, treated like the niggras. When we get out of here, I’m telling the authorities.”
Fred said, “I remember those two old guys face when we arrived, they jumped down off their horse and ran out da' dividing gate past us, likes dey' on fire.”
Laughing Roy said, “old Massa Brown said, “Hey boys, not so fast, we are going to feed you. My son and cook are in the kitchen waiting for you.”
Fred said, “dey’ were runnin’ fast ta’ freedom”
Roy said, “now we know why,” he jumped down off his horse and said, “Freedom going to feel mighty nice. I don’t want Massa food I just want to go home.”
“Yeah,” Fred said, “too many years locked up, we ain't seed’ nobody,” he looked at the gate and shook his head and continued, “why we locked in?”
Roy said, “oh God.” He held his head down in disgust.
Fred asked, “what’s wrong?”
“This plantation is not legal those two old men were killed,” Roy commented.
“What are you talking about?”
Roy said, “I’m talking about, I believe my girlfriend is married, probably have children. My mama and daddy probably dead and buried. But I will never find out.” He cried.
Fred looked at Roy and said, “you’ll see yo’ gurl’ friend, maybe she wait fo’ ya.”
Roy pulled himself together, he wiped his face.
The slaves stopped to watch Roy cry. Lee, one of the slaves working in the tobacco field said to another slave, “dey’ ain’t no better dan’ us.”
The slave said, “you be right Lee, dey’ cain’t git out either.”
Fred said, “I’s got three women pregnant,’ naw I’s thank’ foe.” He looked at Roy and said, “I’s could be a grandpappy.”
Roy said sadly, “don’t you see, you’ll never see them. I was supposed to graduate from college in 1982. My dad is a chemical engineer, I was studying to be an electrical engineer. My mom a nurse. I have two sisters and a brother.” Roy smiled and continued, “I may be an uncle, but I’ll never see any of my family.”
“Wow man,” Fred said, “you be from a smart famly.’ My sista’ git to da’ sixth-grade afo’ she git’ knocked up. The rest of us, third grade, man, mom and dad didn’t go at all, dey’ cain’t read.”
Roy said thoughtfully, “I wonder why nobody come get us, those two overseers had to have told somebody about this setup.”
Fred said, “knowing the Brown famly’ like you say, dey killed does’ men.” He paused as though he was deep in thought before continuing, “when dey open dat’ gate, Roy run fast as you can, yellin’ and hollerin.”
“Honestly Fred, that’s a good idea.”
Fred said, “Mr. Brown ride over to our cabins on a motorbike, we take it, no matta’ who be driving, we jump on and leave dis’ place.”
Roy said, “that’s our only way out.” He slapped Fred on the shoulder and continued, “good job Fred, we have a plan.”
The overseers' wives were not allowed to go by the divider gate or near the slaves. Someone in the Brown family was always watching. Roy's first year locked on the plantation, his woman jumped on a horse, and thinking she was going to get out, galloped to the divider gate where she was shot to death. The next day Roy had a new woman, Charles told Roy that his first woman ran away. Roy and Fred knew what happened, they heard the gunfire, still, they said nothing.
After Charles father hired Roy and Fred, Charles changed the overseer's exit off the plantation. While Charles father, Ben, was living, he told his dad, “I don’t feel like dragging four dead bodies back to where they came from.”
Ben asked, “what’d you mean son?”
“Out the gates, in the house, kill all four, then back through the divider gate, and bury them.” Charles continued as he held up four fingers, “two overseers two women, dad that’s a lot.” He ran his fingers through his hair and continued, “when Roy, Fred, and their women get too old, why don’t we walk them through the divider gate, shoot them, then bury them in the divider gate forest. That would be a whole lot easier.”
His father said, “son, run Metropolis your way.”
Ben Brown born in 1935, died in 2016 of heart failure.
The slaves stopped producing tobacco since the overseers were always sleeping on the job. The overseers had grown old and tired, it got harder for them to stay awake, sitting around doing nothing. They came up with a strategy, one would sleep on the ground for thirty minutes while the other kept watch, and then switch. Sometimes that worked, other times they both fell asleep, one on the ground the other sitting on his horse.
Ben, Charles father built mini-malls in MacCall, Ogville, and Titleburk to sell his products. The slave women sixty years and older made quilts, bedspreads, curtains, and throw rugs which were sold in the mall’s stores and shops around the country. For the slave compound, the women made candles for their cabins, women and men clothes for the slaves, children, the nurse, and the teacher. Men sixty and older made the dining room and kitchen sets that were sold in the malls and across the country.
In 2017, there were seventy-five adult slaves, twenty children ranging between the ages of two to thirteen. Charles assigned the fourteen-year-olds in homes with the same skills, he gave the overseers detail instructions on where to place the teens. The nurse and teacher were fifty-five years old. Charles had the women to train Helen, a slave, how to take care of the children. Helen received a minimal nurse’s aide and teacher’s training as the nurse and teacher prepared to leave. Charles told the women that soon they were going to get their freedom. He said, “you have to promise to keep the plantation a secret, and not tell anyone.”
The two women said together, “I promise.”
The teacher said to the nurse when no one was around, “we’ll keep our mouths shut as we hand over our memoirs to the police.”
The nurse laughed and said, “our promise kept.”
Throughout the years, each set of teachers and nurses found the memoirs hidden under the loose floorboards, since the Browns or children never entered the sleeping room, the papers were safe. The women wrote in the memoir changes made during their time, from the first nurse and teacher in 1876, to the last in 2017, each recorded the date they were locked in with the children. They wrote in detail what they had seen and heard, if the overseer was not looking or for a moment walked away, a slave whispered to the nurse an atrocity that took place in their area. The nurse recorded everything she saw as she walked from the children area to the slave compound. The nurses had empathy for the mother, who wanted to at least see their baby but could not. With the overseers watching closely, the nurse wrapped the baby in a blanket and took the newborn to the children area.
In the early 1900s a nurse allowed a weeping mother to hold her baby, the overseer killed the mother, baby, and nurse. He told the master of H.B., who had the three taken to the divider gate area. When the nurse did not return the teacher knew what had happened, she heard three gun shots. She quickly wrote in the memoir the tragedy she also wrote that she was going to be killed. An overseer stood outside the children cabin and called for the teacher to join him. She said, “children it’s going to be okay, stay inside.” She hugged each child and left.
The teacher was escorted out of the children gate to the divider burial grounds, she looked down and saw the three bodies, she looked up and saw a gun aimed at her. She closed her eyes and prayed for the children.
Helen stayed in the children area to learn how to take care of the kids' aches and pains and teach them reading, and writing. The boys that were trained to make and design furniture were placed in a furniture maker home as their son. While learning how to make furniture, they would also work in the fields until they turned sixty. Charles taught all the children how to grow and care for the tobacco plants.
Helen was permitted to join the other slaves on the second and fourth weekends. She walked non-stop eleven and a half miles to the adult slave area as the overseer rode horseback. Sometimes, on her way home, the trip was halted, they would rape or beat her, after which she limped the remaining miles home.
The slave’s enemy was one of their own, Helen’s husband, Bo. He protected himself from beatings, and hunger, by supplying his owner incriminating information about the slaves. In his peahen tiny brain, he assumed that he was a cut above the rest because twice in his life he had been off the plantation with Harry II. Both times in the same club where he saw, who he thought, were other slaves dressed up. One day after an outing, Bo and Harry II were on their way home, Bo asked Harry if he could get clothes like the other slaves he had seen, he especially liked the one colored man that looked more elegant than Massa Charles. That was Bo’s last time off the plantation.
I’s Neva’ Seed
At the end of the working day, the tired overworked slaves left the tobacco field at 6:00 pm. Their stride took on the appearance of an ape locked behind bars, their heads hung down, arms loosely dangled by their side, shoulders bent towards the ground, their bodies were tired, their spirit was severely fragmented. The overseers had gone into the slave town area, wherein the bar they got two bottles of watered-down liquor.
Just before entering the slave gate a young fourteen-year-old named Cush, saw something sticking between the gate rods. He looked around for the overseer’s, they were not there. He ran over and snatched the item. His Dad, Lee, yelled in a loud whisper, “git back here boy!”
Cush looked at the item and yelled, “Daaad,” he stuffed his finding in his shirt and joined his dad before the overseers saw him. As the overseers left, they locked the slave gate and galloped home.
Cush and his father entered the cabin, Cush took his finding out of his shirt and laid it on the table. He said, “look, dad.”
Lee’s mom, Lillie asked, “look at what?”
Lee and Cush were standing by the table gazing down at the Essence Magazine in a confused state. Lillie was by the fireplace when she asked, “Lee, what ja’ lookin’ at?”
“I ‘don’t know maw,” Lee answered.
Cush said, “I found it, grandma, by da’ outer gate.”
“You let dat’ child go by the outer gate?” Lillie went to the table, pulled a chair out and sat down, “Massa will beat him.”
“Mama, da' overseer' didn’t see him,” Lee pushed the magazine in front of her, “look at dis.”
Even though the slaves made the candles, they received only two the first of the month, one for upstairs and the other for the first floor. On this evening Lee was burning both candles downstairs. Lee was a good-looking rugged man in his mid-thirties. Lillie was a short heavy-set woman with few wrinkles, salt and pepper hair, and a kind face. She looked at Lee then at the magazine and said, “I’s neva seed’ nonthin’ likes’ dis.” She looked at Cush and asked, “whad’ dis’ be?”
Lee grabbed the magazine and tried to take it out of the freezer bag but could not.
“Let me try dad,” Cush tried to get the magazine out, but failed.
Lee said to Lillie, “look at da people on dis thang.”
“Who dey be, dey brown likes us,” Lillie said.
Lee had a confused expression on his face, he said, “I's' don't know mama. Look at dis' colored man, look at all des' pretty bright colors on dis' here thang. Feel da' paper. Mamma dis' be strange.” A second time he tried to get the magazine out the bag.
Cush reached for the magazine, he fiddled with the freezer bag. Lee and Lillie watched him intensely, Lillie said, “don’t rip dat strange paperboy.”
Cush looked at the little blue button on top, he asked, “what dis’ be?” He slid the button on top to one side, when the bag opened, he reached in and pulled the magazine out.
Lee took the magazine and flipped through it, he was amazed, he read the caption on the cover, “Prezdent Ba-rack Ob-am-man.”
Lillie got the freezer bag and asked, “what kind of name dat be?” she held up the bag and looked through it.
“Listen to dis mama, it says Prezdent Back Ob-am-man.”
“Prezdent' of what? Dat’ man be slave likes us.” Lillie said in a matter of fact tone.
“Hum,” Lee said, “He don’t look likes it.”
Looking at the picture Lillie said, “Dat’s cause’ he be a dressed-up slave.”
Cush said, “da Prezdent of Southern States be Prezdent' Nixon. Ain’t no slave be Prezdent.”
Lillie snapped, “boy hush up, you's' git' us in trouble goin' by dat’ outta’ gate.”
Lee said, “I won’t’s ta' tell uncle Glaidous,” he looked at Cush and said, “run and git' unk.”
Cush dashed out the door, Lillie yelled, “don't let the door slam...” The door slammed shut. Shaking her head, she said, “Lee you need to teach dat' boy manners fo' he become a man.”
Ignoring his mom, he said, “ma look a note on dis’ here paper.” He looked confused and asked, “whar’s git yellow paper?”
Lillie held the freezer bag up, with a puzzled look on her face asked, “what kind of paper dis’ be?” she put it up to her face and looked through it a second time, she said, “I's' see through it.” She looked at the note Lee was holding and said, “dat’ be pretty paper.
Lee said, “dis be strange mama, paper be white, not yellow.”
Lillie held the freezer bag up to her face and said, “and not see through.”
Lee said, “dis’ paper be sticky on da’ back.”
“Let me see,” Lillie said as she reached for the sticky note and handed Lee the freezer bag. He instantly put the bag up to his face and said, “I can see through it.”
Lillie read the note, then without moving her head looked up at Lee and asked, “whad’ dat’ mean.”
*******
While Lillie and Lee tried to figure out the message Donovan had written, Donovan and Theenda were cleaning the kitchen and dishes. Donovan was rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, while Theenda was cleaning the countertops, table, and stove, she said, “your mother called today, sorry I forgot to tell you.”
“What did she want?”
“Your father tried to find Paula’s birth certificate, your mother bought me a present, I'm so happy she and I don't have the usual crazy relationship, of I hate-mother-in-law-hate-daughter-in-law thing happening, know what I mean?” She laid her head on Donovan, and continued, “makes my life easier.”
Donovan chuckled when he said, “and mine. I'll call dad to see if he found anything.”
Theenda deep thought said, “uhm, Sweetie?”
“Yeah Baby Girl.”
“If there are, I mean a big if slaves are on the plantation, how many were there? That's assuming there are slaves.”
“I don't know,” Donovan answered.
“Have you told Timpkin and Haze?”
“Not yet.”
“Are you going to tell them.”
“Tonight, at a restaurant.”
“So, you're leaving here and going to eat again.”
“No, I'll have a coke or something.”
Donovan met with Timpkin Linwood and Haze Day in McDonald. Timpkin was a short, muscular good-looking man in his mid-fifties. He was a manager for a government division, he wore Jeans, sports jacket, dress shirt with a tie. Haze, in his thirties, was not happy to be meeting in McDonald. He was a pretty boy know it all, with an all-American apple pie face. He owned a janitorial company that he claimed made him rich. Haze being a savvy talker, confident, and all-knowing business ethics landed him contracts with large corporations within the whole state.
Mild-mannered Timpkin was a quiet peaceful kind-a-guy, on the other hand, Haze was fiery, hot-tempered, fast pace I-ain't-got-time thirty-year-old man. Donovan was smooth as evening blues, just don't push the wrong buttons. Donovan tried to share with his friends his discovery of slaves. Haze blatantly blared out, “Don-man why we here?”
Donovan looking confused said, “I need to tell you something...”
Haze Day said, “naw man, why we here so late at McDonald, of all places.”
Timpkin was wondering the same thing when he commented, “yeah, why? KayKay is going to be mad I’m out so late?”
“Listen, I have something to share with you,” Donovan took a deep breath looked around the empty McDonald and whispered, “I found slaves, living, breathing, walking, talking, not in a play or a book, but in a nearby town.”
Timpkin looked confused, “in a book.”
“He just said,” Haze turned to Donovan and asked, “wait, what did you just say?”
“I didn't stutter,” then whispered, “I said I found, note the word, found.”
Haze checked his attitude made a U-turn and followed what Donovan was claiming. “Mm’ hum, so Don-man you found slaves, 2017, well'um, where?” Haze asked.
“Forty-five miles North West of here, a family has owned them since 1865.”
Timpkin being the only one born and raised in Ogville, defended his town, “no such place exists!” Timpkin began to get agitated said, “saying, “note the word,” proves nothing.”
Haze lost patience with Timpkin, shouted, “Shut-up Tim-man.”
The employees stopped and looked at the three men, the supervisor went over and asked, “everythang’ alright?”
Donovan said, “sorry, yes, we’re okay.” When he left, Donovan said, “Shh, quiet,” Donovan commanded, “keep it down.”
“Don't yell at me,” Timpkin whispered through clenched teeth.
“Guy’s keep your voices down. People have died,” Donovan whispered very softly. “Don’t make me regret telling you.”
Timpkin said in a loud whisper, “I don't believe that my town could do such a thing.”
“Then why don't you come with me,” Donovan suggested.
“I am not interested in hearing more of your condemnation accusation of my town committing such a hideous crime.” He stormed out.
Haze watched Timpkin leave and said, “now that was a lot of big words, he worked for the Government too long.” He tried to comfort Donovan and continued, “don't worry ‘bout him Don-man, he'll come around.”
“I don't know Haze it was hard for me to believe.”
“You said some people died over this, so...?”
“So,’’ Donovan cut Haze off and continued, why am I telling you? Don't know.”
They sat quietly for a while, Haze broke the silence when he said, “misery loves company, I’m miserable.” He looked at Donovan and asked, “are you miserable?”
Donovan clasped his hands together, looked down at the table and said, “yea. No, I am concerned people are being made modern day slaves. I pray I’m wrong.”
“So, you should be miserable, because, in 2017, America still has slaves.” Haze said.
Donovan looked at Haze and said, “I get it, no one is free until we’re all free. Until that happens, we’re in a state, of misery.”
Haze said, “you and Tim-man throw words together better than I do. You said what I said only better.”
“As long as we’re on the same page my brother,” Donovan said.
*******
Outside Lillie's shack Cush returned with uncle Glaidous, “come on unk I's' got somethin' ta' show ya.”
“Stop pullin’ on me boy,” Glaidous said. “Iffen' you’s don’t I’s gonna tan yo' hide.”
Lillie was standing in the doorway and whispered, “Glaidous, cut that noise out, git' in here, we's got business ta' tend to.”
“What ja' talkin' bout woman? You da' one keepin' up a ruckus.”
Inside the house, Lee was still looking at the Essence, he said, “unk look at dis'. Cush close da’ doe.”
“But dad it be hot in here.”
“Boy iffen you's don't close dat' doe' you's gonna' feel hot hands on the seat of yo' britches.”
Lillie said, “then it be my turn ta' gib' ya' a lil' heat in the seat.” She said to Glaidous, "look at da book Lee gots', and look at dis' seehre paper."
Cush closed the door, then said, “I’s' find it unk by da’ outer gate.”
Glaidous looked at the cover of the Essence and asked, “who des’ pretty brown people,” he flipped through the Essence and asked, “what dis be?” He closed the book and looked at the cover again, then at Lee and asked, “what kind of slave dey’ be?”
Lee tried to pronounce the book, “Eas-send mar-ja-zine.”
Glaidous threw the book onto the floor, jumped back, and said, “you be speakin' devil talk.”
Lillie said, “read dat' pretty paper son.”
Cush picked the magazine off the floor. Lee began to read, “my name is Doo-noo-in.”
Frighten Lillie nervously said, “let’s pray first.”
Glaidous in response, “hush-up woman, Lee read.”
“What be wrong askin’ God to help us? Yous’ say it be of da' devil,” Lillie said.
Lee began to read but Cush cut in, “dis' be exciten' ain't it dad...”
Simultaneously Lee and Glaidous yelled softly at Cush, “Boy hush.”
“I’s prayin.” Lillie began praying, “Lord-a-mercy on us po' creatures…”
Glaidous said, “woman pray to yo'self.”
Lee said, “everybody quiet please, let me read, Mr. Doo-noo-vin wrote, I am a black American.”
The three asked in unison, “a what?”
Lee stopped reading and said, “member Massa say strange people from other contree’ come ta’ America, he be one dem.” Lee showed Glaidous and Lillie the note and said, “see he spell America wrong.”, he put an n at da’ end.
Glaidous and Lillie looked closer at the note, Lillie said, “show nuff’ did.” She took the magazine and said, “look at dem coloreds, dey be from another America dat’ end wid’ n. Mr. O-bam-man be da’ Prezdent of dat’ country.”
Glaidous said, “maybe he a slave who git' out he's outer gate, he sees on da' other side of da' trees.”
Lillie did not accept Glaidous explanation, she said, “no white man gonna' let us, slaves out, keep readin' Lee.”
Instead of reading, Lee said, “maybe he be a slave from Africa, dat's whars' our family come from years ago.”
Everyone went silent in the little cabin, the two flickering candles cast mysterious shadows on the rough wood walls. The crickets outside were loud, the crunch of someone running on the dirt road past Lee’s cabin caused them to jump back to reality.
Glaidous asked, “Why ain’t dey' in da' cabin?”
Muffled laughter from outside slipped through Lee's cabin windows and crunch from people walking on the dirt path. And then, silence saturated the outside and inside of Lillie’s cabin. Lee cleared his throat, Lillie jumped. Glaidous chuckled softly, and said, “almost jumped out yo’ seat old woman.”
“Shut-up Glaidous,” Lillie whispered.
Lee continued to read, “I would like to meet wid' you, pick a time and date, leave a note, and I will come.” Lee gasped and said, “tell me unk, he be out da gate, tell me plez,' how he do dat,' what dat' called?” Lee said too loud for Lillie.
She whispered in a soft light roar, “boy iffen you's' don't be quiet Massa will hear ya,' den we's all be in trouble.”
Glaidous hands didn’t know which direction to go as he paced back and forth, eyes rolled around, he said, “dis' cain't be, I's' won't out dis' pantation. He ain’t from another country, he be right here. I’s won’t off dis’ pantation, a ‘foe I’s die.”
Cush jumping up and down, exclaimed with joy, “what dis' mean daddy!? What dis’ mean?”
Lee quieted down and said, “I don't know son,” he looked at his mother, and asked, “what dat' called mama? when a man can git' out and walk about. What da' called?”
Glaidous stopped and stared at his baby sister with great intensity, “what dat' be call Sis?”
Lillie thought a moment before saying, “it be called, ah’ walk-about, hum um, he be ah’ walkin' about ain't he. So's,” she said matter factually, “he be, ah’ walk-about.”
Glaidous looked at his sister, and said, “how you know an old woman.”
Lee looked at his mother as though she was the smartest human alive and said, “mama, I's' wanna' be a walk-about.”
“Me too daddy, me to,” Cush walked around the cabin and said, “likes dis, cept’ out der.”
Ignoring Cush, Lillie asked, “we's gone tell da others?”
Lee answered, “naw not yet. What iffen’ dis’ be Massa son.”
Glaidous said, “naw, dat’ boy too dumb ta’ read a book like dis.” He took the magazine from Lee.
Lillie said, “da ova seer cain’t git out, it ain’t dem.”
Cush asked, “So’s, who left it, daddy?”
Glaidous said, “I’s ain’t a knowin’ who, I’s do know we’s cain’t tell Sophie,” he looked at Lillie and continued, “I know she yo' friend and all, she cain't be trusted.”
Lee, agreed with his uncle, “unk is right mom, please don't tell aunt Sophie.”
Glaidous rejoiced a little too loud, he said, “I's' know when we’s meet da’ walk-about.”
Lee asked, “When unk?”
Easta' Sunday, three months from now,' the overseers don’t come over here on holidays.”
Lee said, “unk you right, dat’ be a good time, no body work on dat’ day, Massa like Easta, he don’t come round.”
Lillie said, “Glaidous, Lee you’s crazy, dey' be here iffen' we...”
Lee talked over her, “unk the walk-about cain't git' in da’ gate.”
Glaidous said, “we have Easta' in ta’bacco field two, it be away from da’ outer gate.”
Lee thoughtfully answered, “yeah, dat' a good spot.”
Glaidous said, “We’s gonna meet a walk-about.”
Lillie said, “Glaidous you might have somethin,’ but what ‘bout da overseer’s, dey' be comin' ta' git' food.”
Lee said with a chuckle in his voice, “I know, I'll ask Bo to ask Massa iffen' we's can have Esta’ Sunday in da’ ta’bacco field, den' suggest he be da' one ta' watch us, he can tell Massa iffen we's do anythang' wrong.”
Lillie looked at her son, “Lee you thankin' bout doin' somethin' I's' see's it on yo' face.”
“Mama, what if slavery be ova,’ I’s got’s ta’ know. Da' overseers come git' dey’ food and leave, dey' always do, we gits’ Bo drunk, he fall sleep, he always do.”
“Yeah, Bo will thank he da’ boss of us. He ask Massa.” Lillie said.
Glaidous said, mm ‘hum, I's' wonda’ whad’ da’ walk-about gonna' say when he sees us.”
Lillie said, “what we gonna' say when we sees him.”
Lee said, “I's' thank' I's' got' it.”
Glaidous asked, “got what?”
“The gate and the forest - we cain't see out or get out and nobody cain't...”
Glaidous finish Lees sentence, “see in or git' in.”
Lee looked at his son, then at his mother, at his uncle, at the magazine, and said “Cush, mama, unk, we's locked up slaves, and it be agin' da' law. And dis brown skin man likes us, be da' Prezdent of da' Souf. And Mr. Doo-noo-man come ta’ set us free.”
Lillie took the magazine and laid the freezer bag next to it. she said, “glory be, Lee say slavery be ova,’ and nobody knows we's here on dis' pantation.”
Cush ask, “I wonder iffen' da' walk-about will help us, I's wont' ta' walk-about...”
Glaidous cut in, “Lawd child, what ja' talkin' bout,' we lib' off dis' pantation like des' brown people in dis' here mar-ja-zine.”
Lilly agreed with her brother and said, “we's won't know how,” Looking at a sofa in the magazine she asked, “what dat' dey' sittin' on?” Looking at a car, she asked, “what des' round thangs,' and dis' thang sittin' on top of.” She turned the page and saw a house, she asked, “is des' big clean beautify shacks, cabins? We's don't know how ta' lib' likes' des' walk-about.”
With deep sorry in his voice, Lee softly said, “mama, I's' willin' ta' learn how ta' lib' likes da' walk-about. Maybe da' walk-about teach us how ta' walk-about.” Lee examined the magazine, and asked, “I's' wonder how dis walk-about find us?”
The candles burned low as the four slaves sat deep in their own thoughts.
“Glory be,” Lillie said. “We may be doin’ what Massa planned. Mr. Doo-noo-man may be a trap fo’ us, we’s meet him, Massa beat us good.”
“We’s neva' be da' same,” Lee said softly. “We’s gotta try.”
Glaidous started leaving, when he got to the door he looked back and said, “you’s right Lee, we’s neva be da’ same, Massa wanna’ beat me, dat’ ain’t he’s first time it won’t be he’s last.” He opened the door turned and said, “We’s neva’ be da’ same.” He left.
Lilley watched him leave, she sat silently staring at the door. Lee asked, “whad’ ja’ lookin’ at mama?”
Lillie answered, “he ain’t gone no whar’s. He just stand der’ tryin’ ta figure it out.”
“Yes, mama, unk Glaidous right, I’s neva’ be da’ same. I’s got ta’ know, beaten or no beaten.”
Cush stood next to his dad nodding in agreement and said, “gotta’ no grandma.” He sat in a chair next to Lee.
The three sat around the table, in front of them was the Essence Magazine laying on top of the freezer bag. Glaidous opened the cabin door, grabbed a chair, and sat next to Lillie, she reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. The four slaves sat quietly around the table. Cush laid his head on Lee's shoulder. A muffled moan escaped through Lee's lips.
Tears slid down Glaidous cheeks as he stared at the magazine, he said, “I’s not da’ same.”
Lillie cried.
