The Slave Master's Son (16 page)

“Are you going to just stand there?” Master Stewart asked as he cleared his throat and coughed into his handkerchief.

* * *

John approached his father, his figure slowly coming into the dim light. He looked down at his father, suddenly seeing him as weak and feeble. He looked vulnerable. Master Stewart chewed on his bottom lip and rubbed his dry hands together.

“So it’s clear that by your presence here what you’re planning to do. I see that regardless of what I tried to instill in you, you continuously insist on disobeying and making a mockery of all that I’ve taught you. You’ve repeatedly embarrassed me, and this action tonight’s proven that there’s no loyalty for me.” John smiled and touched his father’s knee gently with his right hand.

“My initial reaction as I approached your sleeping body was to defend myself and my family with all my strength. If it included having to succumb you, I was prepared for that. I was prepared for the lost inheritance, being ostracized and disowned, as well as public humiliation. As I watched you sleeping though, I realized that there’s no need to fight you unless you insist. I’m prepared to do just that, as I stated to you before.

“You’d kill me over Hannah?” Master Stewart asked in disbelief.

“Unfortunately, yes. Things are more serious now. There’s more at stake than our love. I now have a child to also protect. No man, whether he’s my father or not, will cause me to turn my back on my newborn son.” Master Stewart rolled his eyes.

“John, you’re truly astonishing. It’s as if we aren’t even related. If I hadn’t seen you moments after your birth and you weren’t my likeness, I’d swear to the entire country you were an orphan.”

“And for those same reasons, I too, would swear I was adopted,” John smiled. “Father, if you lost your leg and couldn’t walk, would you miss it?”

“What sort of question is that? John, I have no time or patience for riddles this evening. I’m very tired, and you’ve taken all the fight out of me over the years,” he said as he rubbed his bag-laden eyes.

“It’s not a riddle. If you suddenly lost your leg and couldn’t walk, would you miss your leg?” John repeated it. Master Stewart sighed.

“Well of course I would! No one wants to be without a limb, especially a leg. What nonsense you speak!”

“What if a doctor told you that a year or two after you lost the leg, he could give you your ability to be upright again by means of a contraption that would serve as an attached artificial limb of sorts?

“John, are you mad?” Master Stewart asked. “What in the dickens are you talking about?”

“Father, you took my leg from me. I couldn’t walk properly, yet you expected me to act as if I was completely able-bodied and gallivant down the road. I wanted it back. That’s why I’m here. Now you tell me I’m an embarrassment because I don’t want to walk around crippled when I really don’t have to. I can’t be crippled simply to make you feel better. Hannah completes me. I refuse to be handicapped for you. That’s too much to ask. You and I’ve been around and around this issue. I’m not going to change your mind and you’re not going to change mine,” John said as he sat on the side of the bed. Master Stewart sighed and looked away. Several minutes passed before either of them spoke.

“John, you’re my son,” Master Stewart said softly. “I want what’s best for you. I now understand, however, that I can’t stop you from continuing this affair with Hannah.”

“It’s not an affair. She’s the one I wanted to be with all along, not Gayle. My marriage with Hannah is real, Father. I’ll be terminating my marriage to Gayle in the upcoming weeks,” John said angrily.

“You refuse to relinquish, and I’m too tired to continue the battle. You’ve worn me down, Son. After our physical fight, when this all began, I can’t do this again. I’m too tired, and you’re too determined and stubborn,” Master Stewart sighed. “Since you know of the baby, you’ve obviously seen Hannah. How is she?” he asked weakly.

“She’s doing well. We named the baby,” John added. “His name’s Jonathan Abraham Stewart.” Master Stewart smiled and nodded his head in approval.

“He’s a very handsome baby,” he laughed. “The color left our faces when we saw him,” he chuckled. John smiled pensively.

“I’m sure. I suppose it was a bit alarming since no one was the wiser. I truly had no idea she was in that state. I love her, Father. I love her very much,” John’s voice trembled.

“I know you do, John,” Master Stewart responded as he touched his son’s hand. “I just wish you didn’t.”

“I’ve paid Master Washington the money he spent for Hannah. I’m taking her away. Please don’t worry about your reputation. I won’t be taking her back to Richmond. I’ll be taking her and our baby to New York. I plan to open a law practice there,” John explained. “Master Washington is signing her over to me in the morning. I’ll have legal ownership of her should anything arise along the way. From this point on, Father, she’s my wife, and I expect her to be treated as such. She’s the mother of my child, and we’re going to be together.” John stood up from the bed and held his head high. Master Stewart nodded.

“I concede. You won’t encounter anymore interference from me. This isn’t what I wish for you, but it’s become increasingly clear that she’ll be chosen each and every time despite the consequences. It’s as though she has some spell over you, but yet I know her personally and understand that she’s innocent and believes she loves you. You’ve been smitten with her since you two were children. I grew increasingly concerned as you matured into your manhood, fearful that your desires would grow and you’d act upon them. I had no idea it’d be much more serious than even that. A part of me wishes I had broken my promise to Mary and sold Hannah as soon as I saw what was going on between you two, but another part of me understands that removing her from you wouldn’t have stopped the love you have for her. I don’t know what else to say, John – I just don’t know.” Master Stewart yawned as he lay back down onto the bed. John patted his father’s hand affectionately. Moments later he walked towards the door and headed out into the early morning air. He walked briskly to the small, brown cottage where he found Hannah wide awake, breastfeeding as Mary slumped in her chair sleeping. John smiled and closed the door behind him as he approached her. Hannah looked up and smiled.

“I was so worried about you,” she whispered as John sat down next to her. John kissed her and ran his thumb along his son’s cheek.

“Hannah,” he whispered. “You’re coming with me after you get a little more rest. We’re catching a train tomorrow morning. Master Stewart knows I’m here, and he knows what I’m about to do, so there are no longer any secrets. You and I are moving to New York.” Her smile faded quickly. She looked down at her son.

“What – what about Jonathan?” she asked wearily. “I’m not going if I have to leave him!” she said as tears threatened to pour down her cheeks. “It doesn’t matter how much I love you, John, I won’t leave him!” Hannah gulped. “If he wasn’t yours, I’d still want him, John. I need you to know that,” she added. John smiled and kissed her forehead softly.

“Hannah, I know, and if he weren’t mine, I’d do everything I could to make sure you had him with you. You must be delirious from your recent ordeal. You know better than to think I’d expect you to do such a thing, Sweetheart!” he reassured. Hannah smiled.

“I don’t know what came over me. Of course you wouldn’t. You love him just as much as I do.”

“Of course I do. He’s coming with us. I purchased Mr. Grant’s rights free and clear. Speaking of which, you’re in my legal care. The final arrangements are being made this morning. Please, don’t worry yourself with these trivial matters. Focus on your wellness and our son. We’re getting a ride to the ferry, so little walking will be needed on your part. I’ll make all the preparations,” John assured as he slid off his boots and nestled close to Hannah. He missed her scent, her smile, her laughter, and the way she spoke. He sleepily watched his son nurse. A few minutes later, Hannah rose and placed the baby in the bassinet beside her bed. She got back into bed and felt John wrap his long, strapping arms around her. She fell asleep and whispered to herself, “If I’m still dreaming, Lord, please don’t ever let me wake.”

* * *

“Everything is in order, John,” Master Washington said as he signed the last paper before handing it to John. “Hannah is free to go. You’re more than welcome to take her belongings that I purchased for her.” John nodded and shook Mr. Washington’s hand before loading up the carriage. Mary stood back, wiping her tears as she watched Hannah place a blanket down on the carriage seat. Hannah ran to her, wiping her own tears away.

“I can’t believe it. You’re going to be free! As soon as John get you over there, you will be free. Nobody will own you anymore, my sweet girl!” Mary sobbed, holding her daughter tightly in her arms.

“That’s right, Mary,” John said as he overheard the conversation. “I have ownership of her until we get to where we’re going, and then you will be free, Hannah. This way just makes it easier so that you’re not tagged a runaway.” He kissed Mary’s cheek and hugged her while Hannah took the baby from his hands.

“Mama, we gotta go before we miss our train,” Hannah smiled. Quick shuffling sounds approached. Mr. Grant approached John with a crooked smile and his hat humbly down from his messy ringlets.

“Hannah, stand by the carriage with the baby. Mama Mary, we’ll be in touch!” John said abruptly as he walked chest-to-chest towards Mr. Grant aggressively.

“What in the hell are you doing here? You’ve been handsomely paid, more so than you or this operation was worth!” John stared down at him, his lips twisted.

“Now, just relax there John. I do believe that you, in fact, owe me an apology and possibly a token of appreciation. Yes, I did receive penitence regarding this matter, since we all lost out, except for you and Hannah, of course. Without me and my assistance, you would’ve been discovered and possibly not found her at all. Now I think…”

“You must be out of your mind! Are you truly this ruthless and crude? I would’ve found her without your help and without the additional stress you caused with your blackmail.”

“I believe fifty dollars is a nice token of appreciation,” Mr. Grant smiled, exposing a bottom row of rotten teeth. John smiled, then laughed heartily. He quickly pushed his jacket back and in a flash, his gun was in hand, shoved into Mr. Grant’s chest as he pushed him abruptly against a fence. Mr. Grant’s smile faded, his eyes glossed over, and lips parted and quivered.

“Now, now, John – don’t do anything you’d soon regret!” he yelled, looking around to see if there was anyone within ear shot to hear him.

“Oh, trust me – I won’t regret it. I’m going to shoot you, Mr. Grant. I’m not going to kill you, but I’m going to shoot you.” John reached roughly into Mr. Grant’s pocket and pulled out a threadbare bag filled to the brim with gold coins.

“This is what my father gave you for you to do nothing but rent out Henry to impregnate my wife!” John yelled out to a group of children that were standing by a fruit stand near the ferry.

“Children! It’s raining gold!” The children watched as John threw the bag far into the air, shooting it, causing all the coins to flow out of it and rain money onto the ground. They raced over, scouring to the ground, fighting amongst each other to collect the coins.

“That was two hundred dollars, you fool!” screamed Mr. Grant. “You’ve thrown away to children who’ll spend it on sweet milk, candies, and useless toys!” huffed Mr. Grant. “Get away from that money!” he growled at the children. They ignored his order and continued their scavenger hunt.

“The next bullet’s for you, directly. I told you I was going to shoot you. Anything that comes between you and your money is like a shot to you. It will be real, not metaphoric if you persist. I’d actually like to take my bare hands and rip the life right out of you, but a gunshot’s far more clean and humane.”

“You’re insane!” Mr. Grant hissed between clenched teeth.

“Now, go on home. This is over. You’ve been paid, and you’ve been warned. Don’t ever darken my day with your shadow again.” Mr. Grant raced over to the ground, picking up the few dollars left uncollected. He hissed and cursed as John walked over to the carriage and kissed Mama Mary’s forehead, allowing Hannah and her to say their final goodbyes.

“What was going on over there?” Hannah asked.

“Nothing, darling. It’s settled now.”

“Mama, you’ll see me again,” Hannah grinned.

“I know,” Mary said. “Let me know when you get there. Write me letters all the time and don’t miss a detail!” Mary sobbed with joy as she waved. Hannah looked back and smiled and waved at her mother once more while cuddling close with her cooing son. She looked down at Jonathan and rubbed his bottom lip affectionately with her index knuckle.

“You’re gonna be free, Jonathan. Your mama is going to be free, and you ain’t no slave. You ain’t never going to be nobody’s slave!” Hannah sobbed happily as John hugged her closely and said, “Sweetheart, the war is over, and so is your pain and suffering.”