The Slave Master's Son Read Online Free PDF Page A

father were talking about it one evening when they thought we were asleep.
    Master Corbin was so afraid of your mother running away, he tried to break her, make her fear him completely and unequivocally. He had an obsession for your mother. He had his way with her countless times, resulting in the conception and birth of several children. His wife was so very jealous of your mother, and what she perceived as his love for her, that she’d often tell lies resulting in Mama Mary being beaten more. He sold her children to control her, even though some were his own. He was a vile man.
    My father was paying him a visit regarding some cattle and iron. He saw your mother bloody from head to toe in the wee hours of the morning. Master Corbin was face down in his own blood with his knickers ’round his ankles. My father instructed her to say that he fell and hit his head on a rock. My father presented him proper before reporting his death. That’s what happened. It’s the cold, hard truth of the matter,” John spoke, his voice raised, but calm.
    Hannah shook with disbelief. She couldn’t imagine her mother doing such a thing. John embraced her. She resisted, then melted into his arms, sobbing.
    “No woman, white, Indian or colored, should be forced to endure what Mama Mary did. I’m sorry. You needed to know the truth, though,” John said softly into Hannah’s ear.
    “Why did your father help my mama instead of reporting her?” Hannah asked as she looked up at him, tears streaming rapidly down her silky face.
    “Because he was in love with her,” John answered. “He was married to my mother, but they had a marriage of convenience. Their families were well-off and friendly. It was arranged. You know marriage is simply a contract. It’s strictly for appearances. Most of the men I fought were married but in love with another. It’s just how it is. I don’t believe that my parents were in love, but from what I gather, they did have a mutual respect. Anyway, my father believes that marriage and relations between whites and Negroes is against the law of God, or so he says,” John smirked, blowing more smoke into the air.
    “My father says one thing, but his heart and actions speak differently. He and I’ve butted heads more times than I can count as of late. He has no inclination that I know his surreptitious deeds. This is where being an astute listener, eavesdropper, and curious child comes in handy. To carry on with your quandary, though, my mother loved your mother too. Your mama was my mother’s favorite servant. She asked my father to make sure that Mama Mary was always taken care of and to give her a nice bedroom. He followed her dying wishes. It’s also rumored that my mother knew that my father loved Mama Mary and wanted her in close proximity upon her passing. Like you and me, Hannah, my father grew up with your Mama. Your grandmother was my father’s nanny. In me, he sees the same thing playing out again. He calls it a curse; I call it a blessing.” John kissed Hannah’s tear-streaked face feverishly.
    “If he loved her, how could he let her be with another?” Hannah asked as John held her.
    “This is where my father and his offspring differ, my dear Hannah. My father has to keep up appearances. He’d rather be caught dead than admit the desire of his heart, so he went on and did what he would’ve done with any childbearing slave – breed her.
    “This is too much for me. I can’t understand. I can’t,” Hannah said, shaking her head as the tears continued to flow.
    “You can understand; you do understand, and you always knew, in here.” John tapped Hannah’s chest with two fingers, right over her heart.
    “But what about all the mulattos he got rid of? If Master Stewart feels this way how could he – have those children?” Hannah asked as she looked up innocently into John’s luminous eyes. John was silent for a moment, reflective.
    “I don’t know why he did it. I suppose he was lonely.