All But One

by Sandra LaVaughn

  The night before the barbecue, Tess had gone to a bar, got drunk, started an argument with a barmaid, the woman grabbed a bottle of beer off a table and smashed it in Tess face. Tess was relentless, neither women won. They both walked away with bruises and cuts, Except, Tess was no longer welcomed in the bar. The same night of the fight, Tess went to Haze home, she got out her car carrying a knife. She said softly to herself, “I’ll stab him, go to the police and say he beat me. They’ll kick him out the house, I’ll move in.” [RL84]

  Haze answered the door, Tess pushed her way in and surprised Haze. Using the knife, she stabbed him in his arm, when he turned to run, she sliced his back. Then went to the police station, Chief Gideon sent Officer Felix, who was friends with Haze. When he arrived, he rushed Haze to the hospital, where he learned that Haze was a regular since his marriage to Tess.

  Tess could not tell the Bright’s about her barroom brawl, she blamed Haze, and they were responding the way she expected.

  Tess was in control, she was excited and happy, she continued to come up with one idea after another. Tess was uncontrollably chatty, “or we put potassium in plastic bags and toss them over the locked gates, light several and hopefully they all will catch fire, or will wire cutters cut the gate? Can they dig out? Where are the gates opening?” After she finished talking, she was out of breath.

  Theenda looked at Donovan and winked, she looked at Tess, and said, “look at my friend, little modern-day abolitionist.” She said to Donovan, “I told you she was full of ideas.”

  Donovan laughed, “Thee what is your idea.”

  “My idea is to support Tess; she is a great lady.”

  “She's no lady,” Haze said.

  Theenda looked at Haze and said, “bring it.”

  “What're you talking about Thee?” Haze looked confused.

  Donovan walked towards the house and yelled, “Haze follow me, we need to talk,” he looked back at Haze who was looking at Tess. “What’re you telling her?” Haze asked Tess.

  “Now Haze!” Donovan said with wrath in his voice.

  Haze looked at Donovan and said, “man I'm older than you, by several years.”

  Donovan said in a demanding voice, “Haze, you need to come now.”

  Haze stood like he was eight hundred years old, Tess yelled, “stop faking you’re injured.”

  Theenda asked, “what’s wrong with you Haze?”

  He looked at Theenda with sad eyes and said, “you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  Theenda watched him limp away, she looked at Tess and asked, “what is he talking about.”

  Tess flippingly answered, “that man lie so much, I can’t keep up.”

  Haze dull sad eyes pierced Theenda heart. Watching Haze enter the house, she caught a glimpse of blood on the back of his shirt. She looked around at Tess and asked, “what happened to your face?”

  Tess lied and said, “Haze.”

  Something about Tess attitude, gradually caused a changed in Theenda towards Haze.

  *******

  Glaidous, Ben, and Jethro were in the church whispering about meeting a walk-about. Glaidous asked and said, “yous’ got somethin’ ta’ ask da’ walk-about? I’s been tryin ta’ thank of somethin.”

  Ben said, “I’s gonna ax iffen he hep’ us offen’ dis’ pantation.”

  Jethro commented, “he be brown likes us, how he git’ out hes Massa gate?”

  “Dat’s what I’s thankin, how he git’ out?” Glaidous said. He went to the podium and got the book with the slaves names, he took the book to Ben and Jethro and showed them what Paula had written. He said, “she git’ out da’ gate, read dis.”

  The three men sat back in silence. Ben asked, “how she do dat.”

  Glaidous asked, “where she go?”

  The children caretaker, Helen, was home for the weekend, she had spent most of her time with her best friend Fanny, who knew that Helen despised Bo. The women were out walking, when Helen said, “let’s stop by Miss. Lillie,”

  Fanny said, “I’s wanna’ see cute Lee.”

  Helen knocked on the screen door, Lee said, “come in.”

  Helen walked in first and said, I'm on my way back to the chil'ren area, I's' stop by ta' holler at y’all.”

  Lillie came down from the sleeping area, a smile crossed her face. Lillie asked, “how you two young’uns' doin' ta'day.'“

  Fanny asked, “Miss. Lillie, you's feelin' poorly ta'day.'

  “My stomach hurt me powerful bad.”

  “We won't keep yah’ Miss. Lillie, you git' better.” Helen said.

  Lillie said, “I’s gonna’ fix some tea.”

  Helen said, I’s fix it foe’ you.” She went in the cooking area to make the tea.

  Lillie said, “you’s don’t need to do dat’ child.”

  Fanny said, “Miss. Lillie, she treat ja’ better dan’ her mama,”

  Lillie chuckled, “dat’s cause she be like my child.”

  Once the Tea was prepared, Helen tried to cool the tea, she blew on the cup as she handed it to Miss. Lillie.

  The three women sat at the table talking, Helen told them all about Becky Lou, how wild she was. She promised them that the next time she’s allowed to come to the slave quarters, she would bring some candy. Lee sat listening, he thought about meeting a walk-a-bout, his leg bounced with excitement as Helen spoke about Mr. Brown’s sister. Lee asked, “you have feedom food.”

  “Yes,” Helen answered with excitement, “and it be good,” she said.

  before leaving Helen gave Lillie a hug, then said, “take care yo’self, Miss. Lillie, I’s bring ya’ some sweet dat’ Miss. Brown gets’ fo’ da’ chil’ren.”

  Lee watched Helen and his mom in confusion, he said, “Helen see yah’ next weekend, Fanny see you in the bar later.”

  “Rita comin?” Fanny asked.

  “She be der,” Lee answered. Helen realized that she had never been to the bar before, she asked, “I's' wonder what Massa do iffen' I's' go ta' da' bar wid' ja?”

  “Beat ja' till yah’ cain't stand no moe.” Lee laughed.

  Lillie said, “Lee shame on you,” then to Helen, she suggested, “go ta' da' bar next Sat'day, when you come home.”

  Helen said, “I's not off till’ two Sat’day from now.”

  Lee said, “I’s take yah’ den.”

  “I’s neva' thought bout' goin.” She looked at Lee with a big smile before saying, “sound like fun.”

  Fanny said, “den' it be settled, you's go to da' bar wid' Lee and me in two Sat’day.”

  Helen nodded in agreement then said, “an'dum,' I's' go wid' out Bo.” The women left out happy and satisfied with their arrangement.

  Fanny went back to her shack while Helen went to hers. Bo yelling at Helen was heard throughout the plantation, Bo shrieked, “woman gib' me da' spect' I's deserve.

  Helen yelled back, “spect?! You have slaves beaten, you's watch us women git' raped. When da' overseer rape me on da' way here, when I's' git' here you do nothin' ta' help me. We’s married cause Massa put me in yo’ cabin.”

  Bo slapped her, at that same time the two overseers walked in, behind them was Harry Brown II, he heard the argument and slap.

  Harry said, “good for you Bo, treating these niggra' women the right way, gotta' slap ‘em' round so's they know who's boss.” Harry looked around at the overseers and laughed, they nervously laughed with him.

  Bo uneasy about his young Massa being in his cabin, said, “how you doin’ young Massa.”

  Harry II arrogantly said, “fool, don't be grinning at me, for one thing, drop and give it to me.”

  Confused, “Gib' yah’ what Massa?” Bo asked.

  The two overseers froze in place as they stared at each other. They weren’t sure as to what was going to happen, but Harry had been acting strange for the last week. Harry looked at the overseers and told one of them, “git' his pants down, bend him over,” he told the other overseer, “take care of her”

  The shy
overseer said, “in front of y’all?”

  Harry yelled extremely loud, “after I finish boy-you next!”

  The overseer took Helen and push her on the floor, he lightly slapped her one time, he stopped when Harry naked from waist down walked over to them and kick them both, then said “quiet!”

  Meantime the other overseer was holding Bo down on his knees, in a headlock, with his butt exposed. Harry walked over to Bo and raped him. Bo cried silently. Helen and the overseer turned their heads, the overseer holding Bo down closed his eyes and turned his head.

  Lee went to Bo's shack to help Helen, he looked through the screen door and was shocked by what he saw. He quietly left and ran home.

  When Lee entered, “Lillie said, “I's' fix Helen some tea, she be coming by.”

  Lee said, “not Helen dat’ need da’ tea.” He explained what he saw, then said, “mama iffen' Massa Harry eva' do dat ta' me, kill me, iffen' he eva' do dat' ta' Cush.” Lee finished with crucial contempt, “I's' kill Massa,” enraged anger filled his entire soul, as he uttered, “I's' swear I will.”

  Lillie said, “young Massa be in a fit of rage, don't you go and git' yo'self in da' same fit.”

  Lee's gasped for air as he said, “Bo is evil and dumb, but no man deserve whad’ he be gettin.”

  They heard footsteps on their porch, then a knock, standing in the doorway was Helen. Lee opened the screen door to let her in. Helen entered the shack shivering, Lee got a blanket and wrapped it around her and said, “you be lucky.”

  Helen shook her head, yes, in agreement.

  Lillie said to Helen, Lawd' a’mercy, whad’ happened ta' you?”

  “Not me, Bo. I's neva' seed Miss. Lillie, whad’ I's seed’ ta’day.”

  From that day forward to and from the children's area the overseers left Helen alone, they did not rape or beat on her, they became nicer to the slaves when the Brown's weren't around. That incident for Helen, Roy, and Fred was frightening shock therapy. Bo, on the other hand, was driven to insane anger.

  *******

  Back at Donovan’s house, he and Haze were in the kitchen as Theenda and Tess remained outside.

  Without a moment’s hesitation, Donovan balled up his fist and slammed Haze in the face, and ask, “how that feel?”

  Haze was stunned, said, “why you hit me?”

  Donovan punched him two more times with each lick he asked, “that feel good? This makes you a better person? Does this hurt? Having fun yet?”

  Haze slumped to the floor and passed out. Looking down at Haze, Donovan said, “hit Tess again you'll live to regret it.” He dumped a glass of water on Haze's face.

  Through grunts and groans of pain, Haze collected his achy body off the floor. The stitches Haze had received, from the stabbing on his arm and back were coming loose.

  Donovan asked, “what’s wrong with you.”

  “It hurts man.” Haze wobbled as he stood, he began to cry.

  Donovan said, “come on, let’s change your clothes.”

  Though Haze did not have a change of clothes, he followed Donovan.

  When the men came out of the house, Theenda and Tess stood up with their mouth hanging open. Haze face was swollen to the size of a honeydew. Theenda asked, “Haze did you shower.”

  Donovan answered, “he could not,” Donovan shook his head and said, “his back is opening up.”

  Haze said, “I’m okay.”

  Theenda asked, “what did you do to him?”

  Donovan answered, “not me.”

  Haze said, “it’s her.” He pointed to Tess.

  Tess said pointing her butter knife at Haze, “I know how to use a knife, I will slice you up slowly from limb to limb.”

  Donovan and Theenda caught each other’s eyes, they became confused about the situation. Donovan cut in, “okay, so we all have our hidden gate which we will work on, we'll get them under control, so we can be effective in helping the slaves out of their visible gate. My gate is pushing the wrong button and I mushroom. But I have it under control.”

  Haze asked, “what does that mean.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pill bottle.

  Theenda said, “yep Sweetie, Haze face shows you’re in control.”

  Tess laughed, too hard and loud.

  Donovan saw Haze putting a pill in his mouth, “so you do drugs now?”

  Haze laid his head on the table and said, “it’s for my back.” He slid the pill container in front of Donovan.

  Tess said a little too loud, “he’s faking.”

  Donovan said, “no, these pills are legit and the cut on his back is deep.”

  Theenda asked, “did you put something on it?”

  Haze answered, “he poured peroxide on the stitches, and applied clean bandages.”

  Donovan said, “that was not a sore.” He looked at Tess and asked, “name a hidden gate.”

  She turned her head then said, “him pretending to be in pain.”

  Theenda said, “I have one, my mom was a social worker, she would come home and beat her children, or push us downstairs, my brother ran away because she sliced his back with a butcher knife. She taught parenting classes.”

  Tess said, “getting a beating is not a hidden gate, my father was a police officer, he would come home and beat my mom, called her all kinds of names. He never hit me or my sister, he'd come home with candy in his pocket or a toy of some kind. But mom, a different story. He was a protector, of the law.”

  Haze said, “a woman that pretends she's innocent around others, but at home a brute,” he slowly sat upright and said to Donovan, “pain pill kicking in, feeling better, I still want to go back to the hospital.”

  “I swear foe’ God, I'll kill you,” Tess spouted at Haze.

  Theenda stood and said, “no more hitting.”

  “I believe Haze, you missed the point,” Donovan said in his teacher’s voice. “more like a man beating his wife, and brag about being rich.”

  “You still don't get it.” Haze said with a depth of sadness in his voice.

  “And Teachers,” Theenda began, “we are supposed to train minds-challenge our students to better themselves, but too many teachers are abusive or molest their students, thus strangling the students’ ability to have a fair chance in life.” Theenda paused before continuing, “I recognize an abused child because of my upbringing,” She looked at Tess and said, “yes, an abusive parent that pretend to be a good person is living a lie, which is what hidden gates are all about.”

  “Well,” Haze began, “maybe their parents should have aborted them, too many abused kids grow up and become abusers.” He looked sad and said pathetically, “I pray hard because I don’t want to be like my parents.” He looked at Tess and continued, “but here I am, living their life.”

  Donovan said, “yeah, an abuser just like your dad.”

  Haze said, “no, you don't understand”

  Donovan said, “will you stop saying that.”

  Theenda sat quietly watching Haze, she had seen him before he married Tess. He donated to the school a basketball stand, just the right size for elementary kids, and three small basketballs. The kids loved him. And the teachers adored him. He would come to the school once a week to teach basketball technique. The one time she had seen him, Haze was energetic and happy. then he married Tess. “hum, I wonder.” She said out loud.

  “Wonder what?” Tess asked Theenda.

  “If you told them the truth about us.” Haze said.

  Donovan said, “the truth about her,” he got up from his seat, went over to Tess, pulled her hair back off her face and said, “in defense of her,” he leaned over and got close to Haze face, he looked deep in Haze eyes and said in a growl, “this is abuse.”

  Donovan went back to his seat, sat down, and said, “now, let’s eat.”

  “The last one,” Haze began, “a husband and wife who are gentle and loving to each other, they call themselves a Christian and, in a church, they are hard workers, but at home, it's a boxing ri
ng.” He was trying to tell Donovan his home life without really saying.

  Theenda said, “that's a good one Haze.”

  Tess looked at Theenda curtly and said, “I can’t believe you’re on his side.”

  Looking at Haze and Tess, Theenda said to Donovan, “I think Sweetie, we have it wrong.”

  When the cookout was over, Donovan drove Haze to the hospital, he was admitted. The cut on his back was infected. Donovan made sure Haze was okay and had all he needed, Donovan asked, “what'd you mean when you said I don't understand.”

  “Don-man, if I told you the truth, you'd call me a liar. You're the kind of person that must see the truth. I pray someday you will.”

  “How did you get that cut on your back.”

  “Again, you won't believe me.”

  “Try me.”

  “Tess.”

  “Liar.” Donovan began to leave, then turned and said, “I guess Tess sliced up her face.”

  Haze said, “bar fight.”

  Donovan yelled, “liar.” He left.

  While Donovan and Haze were together, Theenda helped Tess take the rest of her clothes and personal items permanently out of Haze house. Tess gave Theenda a hug and said, “Thank you.”

  “What for?” Theenda asked.

  “For being my friend. A few months ago, you warned me. What did I do? Turned my back on you, and the next day, I married Haze. You had every right to tell me where to go.”

  “No, Donovan say I care too much.”

  “It’s not you Theenda, it's the Jesus in you.”

  “If that's the case, who was that kicking Haze around.”

  “How about Haze trying to play a troubled victim.” Tess Laughed she continued, “Thee, don’t side with Haze, he’s playing the victim for your pity.”

  Driving home Donovan asked himself, “how did Haze get cut on his back.” When he got to a red light, he pretended he was holding a knife, he bent his arm to see if it was possible to cut his back from the top of his butt to midway his back. “hum, impossible,” the light changed. He said as he drove home, “if Tess cut him that bad, absolute anger caused him to beat her.”