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“Frankly Hattie, I wanted to start calling on you. Do you think that’s possible?” Frank asked as his brothers watched the two of them and smirked. Their smiles told her he was baiting her and she cringed. If only she knew how to handle him.
Hattie eyed Frank for a moment. “Why would a man of your stature in the community want to fool with a widow with three kids? A black woman who owns land.” she asked. “It certainly wouldn’t raise your status in the community to be seen with me. It doesn’t make any sense when ther
e are plenty of young girls about. Pretty white girls. What do you want from me, Frank?”
“You happen to be the prettiest lady I’ve ever seen.” Frank smiled and took her hand. “Every man in this town has noticed. Every man. ‘Course, most men wouldn’t act on it since you are black, at least not in public they wouldn't."
She pulled her hand from his gently. “Perhaps you should get to know me before you decide how pretty I am.”
“You certainly fill out them clothes well.”
Daisy stood up from the table. “Why you lettin’ him talk to you like that?”
“Hear, hear now, you don’t know what you’re sayin’ or who your sayin’ it to, young lady. It be best you keep your little mouth shut.”
“Daisy, please go to your room,” Hattie snapped. She was afraid for Daisy, afraid she’d say too much and Frank might take it out on them. He had such a wild temper and she could push Frank into doing something vile.
“Why?” Daisy stared at her with tears in her eyes.
“He’s just talkin’. Talkin’ to hear himself talk,” she said calmly. But by no means was she calm. Her heart was beating so fast she thought she might pass out. She felt her heart turn to ice and if she had a knife, she’d kill him now. If he harmed her children she would find a way to kill him, she promised God that, right there in the kitchen. She wanted to throw something at this man, but fear kept her still. She would kill him, but then she’d go to jail and, him being a Jeffries, she’d hang. She’d dealt with violent men before. She knew better than to egg the fight on. She was right back where she started from. Daisy might never understand her actions tonight. But she knew better than to fight this man.
Frank was a weasel of a man; thin, tall, and quite capable of anything. He had harsh features, but a handsome head of brown hair, and a mustache. Handsome, powerful, mean, but he wasn’t a gentleman. And she knew exactly what he wanted.
The problem was: how was she going to prevent him from taking what he wanted?
“Well now Hattie, I like that. An honest woman; how refreshing. In fact, I like a lot about you. So much so I must insist you come to my party.” He laughed.
Hattie stood up. “Gentlemen, supper is over. And I’ve already refused the party. Goodnight.”
Without hesitation, he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up to his face, and kissed her in front of her children. The kiss was hard; she felt his teeth grind into her mouth and it was meant to intimidate her. She struggled against him. “Your used goods Hattie, you’ll be at the party, or I’ll come after you. Do you understand…?”
“Mama,” Lily cried and pulled on her skirt.
Daisy started to come at Frank, but Frank slapped Hattie and she hit the floor, as Daisy and Violet flew to her side and she opened her eyes. He glared down at her. “Now, do you understand? I don’t take no for an answer. You’ll soon learn that, Hattie. You’re gonna be my woman now. And unless you want another scar on that pretty cheek, you’ll do as I say from here on out, my backstreet woman. Naturally I’d never marry you, but I don’t mind playin’ around with you. I’ll wear you out and you’ll be nothing but a whore. You’ll be at every party, smiling and liking it. You’ll see. The party is next Saturday. You be there, or I’ll come get you. Oh, and wear something besides those old pants and shirt. I suggest a pretty dress. I’ll even pay for it.”
He dropped the coins on the floor, laughed, and left.
Lily ran out behind them, tears streaming down her cheek. She ran for the barn.
“Mama,” she cried as she ran and nearly fell at Luke and Joe's feet.
Luke bent down to pick her up and took her into his arms. He knew there was trouble. He only hoped it wasn’t something bad. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“Mama,” she cried.
“We’re on the way, baby,” Luke cried.
Hattie was just getting off the floor when they got to her. She was still crouched on the floor. Blood ran down her chin, as she tried to wipe it away, hiding what Frank had done. No use Joe and Luke getting mixed up in this.
Joe went and got a rag from the kitchen and came back to doctor her lip. Luke never left her side. He helped her up and she sat on the edge of the settee.
“Miss Hattie, are you alright?” Luke said, taking her trembling hand in his.
Chapter Eight
After they were sure Hattie was alright, Joe and Luke sat in the parlor with her. Her mouth was swollen, and she claimed a headache. She had put the kids to bed as the men told her it wasn’t for them to hear.
Sam lingered.
