Dessa Rose Read Online Free PDF Page A

such a novel request coming from a nigger and a wench ready to be brought to light, too, that he had granted the request before he had time to think properly of the possible outcome. Since she was shackled during the whole business, he thought no harm could come of it—as though darkies were not subject to the same chills and sweats that overtake the veriest pack animal. It seems that I am never to be spared the consequences of dealing with ignorant people. Pray God this darky don’t die before I get my book! **
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    â€œSho was hot out there today.”
    â€œYeah, look like it fixin to be a hot, hot summer.”
    The desultory conversation eddied around Dessa. The day’s heat hung in the air; dust clung to her sweaty skin. The westering sun sent their shadows before them in wick-thin stripes dark across the sand-brown soil .
    â€œHope it don’t get too hot.” Even the ones talking, Charlie and Sara and them, didn’t seem too interested in what they were saying .
    â€œI see old crazy Monroe been over Masa Jefferson place again.”
    Dessa had seen Monroe that morning, chained out at one of the barns, looking miserable. He had been trying for the longest time to be with some girl over at the Jefferson plantation. But Young Mistress said all the girl was good for was housework and they didn’t need another wench up to the House. That should have been that, but Monroe kept sneaking over to see her every chance he got. Which was to say, he made chances. As much as Boss Smith worked people in the fields, there was no way any of them were just going to “find” a chance to even sneak a “visit.” And Master didn’t like the men planting his seeds in the neighbors’ gardens. Monroe want to chance that lash, Dessa thought, feeling suddenly evil; that was him .
    â€œMasa say he going sell him,” Charlie said over his shoulder .
    Sell him. For taking off a day to see a sweetheart. Sold away Her temples throbbed with heat—
    â€œLawd, won’t these children learn?” Sara asked of the air .
    â€œCan’t learn a nigga nothing,” Petey said quickly and they laughed .
    â€œWell,” Santee said, “I sho wished I knowed what that little girl got to make a nigga ask for a beating and walk fifteen miles a night to get em.”
    â€œDon’t know,” Brady said loudly, “but it sho gots to be good.”
    â€œThis one nigga won’t never find out.” Charlie laughed and shook his head for emphasis. “I don’t want to love…” and again that shake, “where I can’t live.”
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    â€œHey, hey sweet…”
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    â€œListen to Charlie talk!”
    She didn’t join their laughter…Someone…down the Quarters
    â€œâ€¦calling his da’ling’s name .
    Hey, hey sweet mamma…”
    Kaine’s voice in the sunset, always, always the same .
    â€œSomeone sho is walking fast all a sudden.”
    They were laughing behind her. Dessa swung her short-handle hoe with elaborate casualness and paid them no mind. Kaine could always give you something to laugh about, changing words with the men, teasing the women. He made jokes on the banjo, came out with a song made up of old sayings and words that had popped into his head a second before he opened his mouth .
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    â€œâ€¦Kaine Poppa, calling his woman’s name…”
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    Fear touched her. There must have been something for Kaine to do back at the House. Childer could have found him a closet to turn out, some piece of furniture to move so the girls could clean behind it; Aunt Lefonia might have had some spoons or some such to polish in the kitchen. He could help serve supper if there was nothing else to do .
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    â€œSay now, hey now, Dessa da’lin…”
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    Heart pounding, she quickened her steps. Aunt Lefonia said Master was always complaining about how they couldn’t afford to have a