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Willie released the bucket. “I’m worried ‘bout ya’,” he said to Jeyne, a look of concern in his dark eyes. He almost looked beautiful as he stood in the moonlight.
“Willie, ain’t no need for you to worry ‘bout me. I’m gon’ be alright,” she said, softening a bit.
“But you bein’ watched.”
She smiled a bit. “The only person watchin’ me is you.”
He gave a sheepish grin. “Well, maybe a little, but not in dat way,” he admitted. “But see Massa…he got his spies and I ain’t no spy.”
Jeyne snatched up the half empty bucket of water and started to walk away. “Folks need to worry about themselves,” she said over her shoulder.
“But see dat’s what I’m trying to tell you,” Willie said, following close behind her. “You gotta stop all dat with Massa Tom. I know you don’t wanna hear it, but do you really think he different from his pappy? ‘Cause girl, you ain’t the first slave dat been promised the world by dey massa. Dey good for lyin’ and fillin’ your head up with dis dream and dat dream and everything else. Then after you have dey half-white baby, dey don’t know you no mo.’ “
Even though Jeyne knew the words Willie spoke were lies, they still stung somehow. She swirled around to face him, unaware of the water splashing on her long, cotton skirt. “And what you know ‘bout his feelings?” she demanded. “Did he sit down with you over a cup of coffee and tell ya’ ‘bout ‘em?”
“I ain’t got to talk to no white man to know what he thinkin’. They show ya’.”
“You don’t know everything, Willie.”
“You right. You right. But what I do know is how I feel. I'm the man who wants ya’. Not just for today, but for tomorrow, too.”
“You twice my age.”
“What dat got to do with anything?” he said slowly, taking her gently by the arm. “It ain’t like I’m some old man or nothin.’ Let me show ya.’ “
“I cain’t, Willie,” she said, pulling her arm away.
“Ya’ cain’t or ya’ won’t?”
“Both.”
Willie wanted to say more but he stood frozen in place. He looked stricken. Unable to endure the sight of his pain and longing, Jeyne turned and walked away as quickly as she could.
Only a few more feet and Jeyne would be in the safety of the cabin. She ran through the door with the half-empty bucket in her hand. Her body was shaking she was so upset. Without a word, her mother took the bucket from Jeyne and calmly placed it in the corner and watched as her daughter collapse in a chair near the window.
“What happened?”
“I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Willie found ya’.”
“I cain’t walk ten steps without him being in my shadow.”
Lizzie nodded her head and chuckled. “Hmph, dat’s what men do when they in love,” she said. “Did you do what I told ya’?”
Jeyne shook her head. “I cain’t...”
“You can if you wanna be left alone. Baby, all dese men want is a wife…someone they can hold on to. And Willie gon’ keep comin’ at ya’ ‘til you say yes.”
“But I don’t want Willie.”
“And the one you want cain’t have you.”
Jeyne eyes began to tear up. “But I love him, mama, and he loves me.”
“I know, baby,” Lizzie said tiredly. “But you a slave and Massa Thomas not. So, dat love you feel ain’t gon’ turn to nothin’ good. It cain’t. It won’t. Take it from me.”
Lizzie pulled a small sack from under their bed and handed it to Jeyne. “Here,” she said.
