The Devil Behind Us

by S. C. Wilson

  Jesse watched in fascination as Cuffy wrapped the leather straps around his hands and hoisted the trunk with no assistance, nor even a slight grunt. She knew exactly how heavy it was. She could tell by Toby’s face that he too was impressed by Cuffy’s brute strength.

  He led them to a carriage, polished red with matching spokes. Two geldings stood waiting, black as ravens, their coats glistening in the bright sun. The clean, ornate vehicle stood in stark contrast to the dust coating everything in the street. Cuffy secured the trunk on a ledge at the back of the carriage. Stepping back around to the side, he opened the door and offered his gloved hand to the women. Abby, cradling a sleeping Gwen, took hold of his hand as she stepped inside. Her own fingers felt tiny in comparison to his. Aponi and Jim followed.

  Jesse peeked her head inside. “We’ll be right behind you.” She couldn’t help but notice the smell of the new leather seats. She gave Abby’s hand a squeeze and then stepped back.

  Jesse and Toby rode behind, staying as close to the carriage as possible, never letting it out of their sight. The plain houses and level streets soon gave way to larger homes along a gentle rise, which then gave way to a steep incline. She looked back over her shoulder. The homes they’d first passed looked like a child’s blocks scattered at the bottom of the hill.

  The finest homes Jesse had ever seen flanked the street at the top. The obvious wealth was stunning, almost in the realm of children’s stories. She’d imagined many different versions of the city’s opulence. The reality was like and yet so unlike all of them.

  The carriage came to a stop midway between two houses. They were larger than any Jesse had ever known. She thought of the cabin on the mountain and the tepees stretched across the native village. That people lived in structures like these gave her a slight dizziness she shook from her head. It wouldn’t do to let awe get the best of her now.

  Jesse reined in her horse, bringing him to a stop. A raucous flurry of construction activity reverberated from the larger of the houses as men moved about, totally oblivious to the newcomers watching from the street. Behind the house being renovated, Jesse spied a smaller brick building. That must be the guest house, she thought.

  Cuffy offered his gloved hand once more as Abby and Aponi exited the carriage. The physical strain of the trip was beginning to show in the weak but grateful smile Abby offered him. Beside her, Aponi stared wide eyed, her expression slightly anxious.

  “Tie your hosses to the wheel, and I’se see to ‘em after I gits this inside,” Cuffy said, untying the rope from the trunk.

  Jesse and Toby wrapped their reins around the carriage rim and followed as Cuffy led them toward the guesthouse. Jesse, not paying attention to where she was going, bumped into Abby, who had stopped abruptly in front of her. She had been expecting to go on to the brick house in the back. Instead, they were led to the large home facing the street.

  “This is the guest house?” Jesse asked.

  Cuffy said, “If’n you want to call it that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Mr. Bowman gots both. Them workin’ on that one now.” Cuffy tilted his head to the house next door, then nodded to the house in front of him. “Then he be knockin’ this one down.”

  Jesse was dumbfounded. They were set to demolish one of the finest houses she had ever seen. She wondered how many families could have used all that space. Curious, she asked, “What’s that building?” She pointed to the brick structure in back.

  “Carriage house,” Cuffy said.

  Carriage house? Jesse let the words echo in her mind. She couldn’t believe someone would spend all that money on a building made entirely for livestock and tack. A lot of people would feel blessed to have a home even a fraction as nice. She knew she would. The difference between her cabin and the carriage house alone was like night and day.

  Cuffy set the trunk down on the stoop. He twisted the brass doorknob, pushed open the heavy, walnut door, and motioned for them to step inside. Jesse, hat in hand, had to remind herself not to let her mouth hang open. As nice as the house had looked from the outside, it had not prepared her for the extravagance within. The rugs looked far too expensive to be walked upon by dirty boots or the sweaty feet they contained. She suddenly felt self-conscious, fully aware of how dirty she was.

  How do people live like this?

  A well-dressed man with an olive complexion approached. “Well, you must be Mr. McGinnis,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Andrew. How was your trip?” He took Jesse’s hat and hung it on the hall tree next to the door.

  “Uh…good…real good,” she said, stammering. She took Jim from Aponi.

  Andrew nodded and directed his attention to the woman standing closest to Jesse. “You must be Mrs. McGinnis.”

  “I am. It’s nice to meet you, Andrew,” she replied. “This is my brother-in-law, Toby, and his wife, Aponi.”

  Andrew greeted them with a smile before turning his attention to Cuffy. “Take the trunk upstairs. Put it in the first room on the right.” He turned back to his guests. “All right then. How about we get you folks settled. Come with me.”

  He began the tour of the twelve-room home by leading them up the stairs aside the front parlor. “The staff is happy you’re here. They weren’t supposed to start working until Mr. Bowman’s return in November. Because of your arrival, he went ahead and had them start early.”

  “Staff?” Jesse asked.

  “Yes, sir. Ulayla runs the kitchen. She’s a fine cook. Mollie is the housemaid, and you already met Cuffy. We are all here to make sure you have everything you need during your stay.” He pushed open a door. “Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis, this is the room you’ll be staying in. I hope it’s to your liking. Oh, and Mr. Bowman had two cribs delivered to accommodate your little ones. He told me to tell you they’re yours to keep. Gifts from him and the Mrs.”

  Abby’s hand went to her chest, touched by the thoughtful gift. “Thank you.”

  He smiled at her. “Don’t thank me. It was the Bowmans’ doing. You can thank them when they get back.”

  Jesse peeked into the bedroom. She thought for a moment her weary eyes deceived her. The entire cabin would fit into the space.

  Toby and Aponi were given a similar room down the hall. Andrew stopped in front of another door at the end. “That’s the privy,” he said.

  An outhouse inside, Jesse thought. She shifted Jim to her other hip and opened the door to have a look. While she’d heard of them, she had never expected to see one. She knew how she would sound even before she opened her mouth, but still, she had to ask. “I don’t mean to be daft, but how does it work?”

  “Water is stored in a large cistern up in the attic,” Andrew said. He walked over to the sink and turned a handle. “Opening the faucet handle will allow water from the cistern to flow into the fixtures.” He pointed to the toilet. “When you finish, just yank the—” He stopped speaking when he saw Mollie standing at the threshold. “Ah, perfect timing. Mollie is bringing heated water for the tub. Thought you would like to freshen up after your long trip.”

  Mollie smiled but said nothing as she carried in a steaming bucket. She poured it into the tub and then turned the handle on the faucet, mixing cool water with the hot.

  “Still have to heat the water the old fashioned way.” Andrew grinned.

  Jesse held up her hand. “Hold on. Let me get this straight. Sam is tearing down this house?” she asked in bewilderment, pointing to the floor.

  Andrew chuckled and nodded. “He is. There’s a movement happening right now. People want large estates, not modest houses like this—at least in this area.” He could tell by Jesse’s expression she still didn’t understand. “Mr. Bowman had to buy this one so he’d own the land. Right now, they’re renovating the house next door. It’s supposed to be finished by the time he returns in November. Then, they’re tearing this one down to enlarge the home next door. Should be quite the mansion when it’s all said and done.”

  The impossible babblin
g of water flowing inside came to an abrupt stop as Mollie shut off the faucet.

  “Looks like the bathwater is ready,” Andrew said.

  Jesse looked at Abby and the twins. “I’ll help you with them,” she said. Without hesitation, Abby handed her Gwen and headed back to the bedroom for clean clothes.

  As the others continued touring the rest of the home, Abby and Jesse gave the twins a bath. When they were cleaned and dressed, Jesse took them back to the bedroom.

  Abby undressed and sank into the heated water. She was certain nothing had ever smelled better than the fresh lavender of the bar soap in her hand. Inhaling the fragrance, she rested her head against the cool copper at the back of the tub. She wanted nothing more than to wash away the dust of the road, curl up in the luxurious, oversized bed and sleep for days.

  The hot water caressed her, begging her not to leave its embrace, but she knew Jesse was eager to take her turn. She stood and toweled off with one of the softest cloths she had ever felt before returning to the bedroom.

  Jesse, feeling too filthy for the furniture, sat on the floor. Abby peered into the cribs to see silent, bundled lumps.

  “They fell right to sleep,” Jesse whispered.

  “The water is still warm if you want to take a turn.”

  Jesse took a set of clean clothes and hurried down the hall, impelled by a slight excitement that defied her sleepiness. She couldn’t wait to strip off her dirty garments and get clean again.

  She dipped her foot in the water and found the temperature to be just right. I could really get used to this, she thought as she sank underneath the water.

  A noticeable brown murk tinted the cool water by the time Jesse pulled the chain on the plug. The accumulated dirt and sand of their trip swirled down the drain, each grain on its own long journey.

  Jesse had no problem sharing bathwater with Abby but knew it wasn’t fair to ask the same of Toby and Aponi. She dressed and went downstairs in search of Mollie.

  “Can you show me where the bucket is? I’d like to heat up some water for my brother and his wife.”

  “I does that,” Mollie said.

  “I can do it.”

  “No suh,” Mollie reiterated. “I heat the water and brings it.”

  Being waited on made Jesse uncomfortable. She wasn’t sure what to do, as she was still learning how things worked around here. With an awkward smile, she said, “Thank you. We appreciate it.”

  She went back up the stairs, noting the detail in the woodwork. The handrails and balusters had been fashioned from fine wood, polished to a sheen that looked almost wet. Each curve and groove was the painstaking work of master craftsmen who had devoted their whole lives to the art. Even the steps had been built with unexpected care. A thin but beautiful carpet was affixed tightly to the tread and riser of each step, running down the walkway in one smooth cascade that merged seamlessly with the carpentry.

  Jesse still couldn’t believe anyone could make plans to tear down such a fine place. It seemed like such a terrible waste.

  Toby opened the door when she knocked. “Mollie is bringing more hot water for you two.”

  “Thanks. And Andrew told me to tell you th-that supper will be served in the dining room at s-seven.”

  “All right. We’ll meet you then.” Jesse tried to stifle a yawn. “I’m going to lay down and rest my eyes.”

  “I think w-w-we’ll do the s-s-same,” Toby said, his own fatigue slowing his words.

  Jesse returned to their bedroom and locked the door behind her. She slowly pulled back the blanket and cuddled up next to Abby who was already asleep. Jesse, too, was asleep moments after her head met the pillow.

  “Mr. McGinnis.” Andrew rapped on the bedroom door. “Mr. McGinnis, it’s going on seven. Ulayla has the table set.”

  “We’ll—” Jesse cleared the frog from her throat. “We’ll be down in a few minutes,” she called out. She could tell Abby was awake but clearly as reluctant to move as she was.

  “Yes, sir,” Andrew said.

  Abby and Jesse unenthusiastically rose and got dressed. Each one made ready to leave the room with a baby in their arms. Before walking out the door, Jesse, hesitant to let their valuables out of her sight, grabbed her saddlebag.

  They entered the dining room to find Toby and Aponi already seated. Jesse sat down, placing the saddlebag at her feet.

  The entire room, like everything else, had an air of newness about it. One large piece of off-white linen covered the table. Jesse ran her fingers over the intricate design stitched in light blue across the entirety. A place setting of fine china waited for each of them, along with goblets made of clear-cut crystal. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the cost of the things she saw in this room alone.

  A heavyset black woman pushed her way through a swinging door into the room, backside first. She turned, revealing the silver tray in her hands. “Welcome,” she said. “I’m Ulayla. I made y’all a nice roast goose wid all the fixin’s.” Her smile came easy as she spoke. Her age was hard to guess based on her flawless complexion, free of lines. The only real hints of fading youth were the white hairs sprinkled throughout the tight braid she wore coiled around her head.

  Jesse stood to help her but was quickly put in her place. “Naw suh. You sit on down,” Ulayla said, placing the tray in the center of the table. The wonderful smell filled the room even before she lifted the lid.

  Humming softly as she worked, she skillfully carved the bird. Mouths watered as she placed a slice of meat on each plate, followed by a large dollop of mashed potatoes. After pouring on the gravy, she finished off the meal by adding generous portions of roasted vegetables to each plate using silver tongs. Ulayla wiped her hands on her apron, fetched a glass pitcher from the sideboard, and filled their goblets. Not one person seated at the table moved as they watched her work.

  “Well, whatcha waitin’ on?” Ulayla asked. “Dig on in ‘fore it gits cold.” She let out a small gasp. “Oh, I be right back,” she said, hurrying out of the room.

  They could hear the sounds of dishes clattering in the kitchen. Within seconds, she returned. “Made me granny’s recipe. Best buttermilk biscuits they is,” she said, placing the large platter on the table.

  “Thank you,” Abby said finally. “It all looks amazing.”

  “Welcome. You let me know if you be needin’ anythin’ else.”

  Jesse asked, “Aren’t you going to join us?”

  One plump hand quickly went to Ulayla’s heart. To Jesse it looked as if she had just asked her to murder someone. “Lawd no, suh. I don’t eat at this table. I takes my meals in there,” she said, pointing towards the kitchen.

  “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  “No harm, suh. You jus’ go on an enjoy. I be in there if you be needin’ anythin’.” She spoke with finality leaving no room for argument as she retreated to the kitchen.

  Jesse shifted Jim in her lap and picked up her fork. The meat was so tender she didn’t need a knife to cut it. In between bites of her own, she fed Jim small scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy. She looked at Aponi and asked, “You like it?”

  “This is good food,” Aponi said, smiling. “Never had anything like this before.”

  The group nodded their agreement.

  The past week had been life changing for Aponi. Having never set foot off of the mountain, everything she encountered was foreign. She did her best not to let it overwhelm her. Most of the things she found amazing and felt, with time, she could adjust to. Her most pressing discomfort was the way some white people had looked at her. She had noticed it several times along the way, hateful stares here and there from beneath hats pulled low. She hadn’t mentioned it because the others hadn’t seemed to notice. She was afraid maybe it was only in her head, though the alternative was no better.

  After they finished their meal, Jesse scooted her chair back and stood, plate in hand, Jim on her hip. Having heard the chair move, Ulayla was in the dining room before anyone could register her pr
esence.

  “Now, suh, you put that down.” Ulayla shook her head at Jesse. Never had she seen a man wanting to be so helpful. It was a welcome sight even though she knew she had to decline the offer.

  Feeling scolded, Jesse sat back down and looked up at Ulayla. “Jesse. Please, call me Jesse.” She had never been comfortable being called sir.

  “Lawd. I don’t know where you is from but ‘round here we don’t address men by their proper name. Especially ones we work fo’.”

  “Ulayla, you don’t work for me. So, please call me Jesse,” she said, standing up again. Before Ulayla knew what to say, Jesse placed her cutlery on her plate and picked it up. With Jim on her arm, she carried her plate and pushed through the door without another word.

  Andrew was sitting at the table in the kitchen as Jesse placed her plate on the counter. “Tomorrow, I need to go to the bank first thing. Is there one close by?” she asked, shifting Jim to her other arm.

  “There’s one not too far actually.”

  “Can you tell me how to get there?”

  He shook his head. “I’ll do you one better. I’ll have Cuffy take you.”

  “That’s not necessary. I have a horse.”

  “Mr. Bowman already told me to have Cuffy take you around the city and show you and the Mrs. the sights.”

  Jesse felt relieved. The strangeness of being chauffeured was less uncomfortable than the thought of being lost in this metropolis. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Andrew turned to see Ulayla, along with Abby, carrying in the dinner dishes. Toby and Aponi joined the entourage and helped clean up from the evening meal.

  A tsk from Ulayla was heard more than once through the clatter of kitchenware. Once the last dish was dried and put away in the china hutch, she could no longer hold her tongue. Dishtowel clutched in hand, she placed her balled up fist on her hip. “Thank you fo’ the help an all, but you’s goin’ to put me out of a job.”

  “What do you mean?” Abby asked.

  “I can’t be havin’ yous in the kitchen. Mr. Bowman will string me up if him finds out his guest be doin’ my work.”