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This statement knocked the wind out of Jack. “I don’t understand.”
“Alice was... difficult. Well, maybe I was difficult and Alice didn’t know what the hell to do with me. Yeah, that’s far more likely the case.”
“And where does Miss Jessup come into all that?”
“She was here. Takin’ care of the kiddies. Doing everythin’, really, while Alice played the role of my society wife. A sometimes prosperous lawyer who was flush with cash till he wasn’t. And for my part, I wanted a go at Miss Jessup because she was as different from Alice as could be. And back then, she was a mighty fine-lookin’ woman.”
Jack put his drink down. “I don’t think I need to hear anymore.”
“But she wouldn’t have me,” said Ashby, seemingly not hearing Jack’s response. “Flat-out turned me down. Schooled me, really.”
Jack’s interest was piqued once more. “How do you mean?”
“She told me that I was married to a good woman and that was where my affections and loyalties should lie. She didn’t use those words, you understand, those are mine, but that was the gist of it. She wasn’t married then. Her husband had died young from somethin’ or other. But she did say that the two races were not capable of bein’ mixed. This was a long time ago, you understand. Before you were even born.” He pointed a shaky finger at Jack. “That’s right. Before she come here she worked for your folks takin’ care ’a your sister. God damn the sons of bitches that killed poor, sweet Lucy. Then your daddy told me to hire her. We had all our kids by then, and sure needed the help, because Alice had her headaches and I don’t think motherin’ came natural to the woman.”
“And Miss Jessup continued to work for you after...?”
“She needed the job and I was payin’ her twice what she could make anywhere else. It was a decision she made for her family and I respected that. And I never did anythin’ to her, never brought it up again. Like she told me to, I turned my affections to Alice and tried my best to make it work.” Here Ashby stopped, grabbed the drink in both hands, and finished it. “And then the woman ups and kills herself in the garage in the goddamn Plymouth.” He dropped the glass to the floor. “I just don’t get it, do you?”
“No sir, I can’t say that I do. But you can marry her now if you want to, and if she’s agreeable.”
Ashby glanced at him sharply. “What the hell you talkin’ ’bout, boy?”
“You can marry Miss Jessup if you both want that. Law now says you can.”
“I know what the law says, but why the hell would I do that?”
“Well, if you wanted to get it on with her, I thought you might love her. She comes here every day. If you got married she could live here while she’s taking care of you. And it would save her a long trip both ways.”
“Marry her and live here, with me? Are you out your mind, Jack Lee? Do you know what people would say?”
“You just told me you’re old with not much time left. Why do you give a damn what people think?”
“I... I just do. And love her? Look, son. I said she was different. Exotic, so to speak. This house here, do you know it stands on the exact spot where the plantation owner’s home used to be?”
“No, I didn’t know that.”
“Bet he slept with his slave women.”
“And I’m also sure those poor women had no choice in the matter.”
Ashby settled back and assumed a pedantic tone. “It was sort of economics, you see. More babies, more slaves. Like printin’ money or some such, because the law back then was if you’re born into slavery, you’re a slave for life.”
“They were people, Mr. Ashby, not property.”
“Well, technically, back then, they were both, son,” Ashby said offhandedly.
His temper barely under control, Jack rose. “I have to be going now.”
Ashby said in a distracted tone, “Thank God I still got Miss Jessup. Nobody else comes to visit me. Not even my own damn kids.”
“Well, don’t always think Miss Jessup will be here for you.”
“What the hell do you mean?” Ashby said, looking startled.
“She might just get sick of being around you. Like everybody else.”
Jack left Ashby and headed to his parents’ house. He thought back to the time when he was a child and he’d overheard Mrs. Ashby and Miss Jessup arguing. It must have been about her suspicions regarding her husband and Miss Jessup.
