by Carol Costa
While Mary"s words were based in truth, the real reason John did not come to Ann Arbor with her was because she was afraid that it would fuel more gossip about their relationship.
Benjamin escapades didn"t seem to disturb the colonists, but she wasn"t sure indiscretions on her part, real or imaginary, would be overlooked so easily. Then, of course, she had to take Benjamin"s displeasure over her friendship with John into consideration. She knew that Benjamin would never openly denounce her because to do so would be admitting that he had made a mistake in choosing a wife, and he counted on his followers believing that the Seventh Messenger was incapable of error. However, Benjamin could make life at the Diamond House and the colony in general very unpleasant for his wife.
Etherton spoke again dragging Mary"s thoughts away from her own problems.
“I am planning a special event to introduce Assanti"s work to my clientele. You must allow him to be here for that.”
“Of course,” Mary replied. “And we have agreed that he will personally deliver the first art pieces to you next month.”
“Very good.” Etherton smiled. “Let us proceed to my private office and discuss the financial arrangements.”
Mary left Ann Arbor with signed contracts containing amounts that made her dizzy to think about. Benjamin and his advisors would be elated when they saw them.
The pieces sold at the House of David Park were all religious objects that John designed and then sent out to plaster companies to duplicate and produce in quantity. For these pieces he and Mary always kept the prices down to appeal to the tourist trade.
The pieces that had attracted Etherton were bigger, one of a kind sculptures, that were displayed in the garden areas of the park.
John had come to the House of David because at the time he was not able to make a living with his art. Mary was now concerned that when John realized how much the House of David colony could earn from the pieces sold through Etherton, he would leave the colony and once again take charge of his own career.
Benjamin had drifted farther and farther away from her over the last few years, and their division had caused her to move closer and closer to John. The thought of losing John"s love and support was painful to Mary.
The train was delayed on the way back to Benton Harbor, so it was quite late when Mary returned. Poor Jacob had been at the station waiting for her for hours.
“Louella has kept dinner for you,” Jacob told her as they drove back to the Diamond House.
“Very good,” Mary said. She was really much too tired to think about food, but she would have Louella bring a tray to her quarters.
“What has happened during the time I"ve been away?” she asked Benjamin.
“Nothing of consequence. You"ve only been away for three days.”
“It seems a lot longer,” Mary admitted. “After completing our business with Mr. Etherton I visited several places where I purchased merchandise for the park. We will be receiving some rather large shipments in a few weeks.”
“You have become quite knowledgeable about choosing merchandise,” Jacob said.
“I"ve tried to put myself into the place of the people who visit the park with their families. It"s helped me make good choices.”
“Benjamin retired early this evening,” Jacob told her. “You will not see him until morning.”
“I am much too tired to talk to him anyway,” Mary said, thinking of what a strain her conversations with Benjamin had become in recent years.
Louella delivered a nice tray to Mary"s room. There was a vegetable stew, biscuits and fruit. Mary ate her solitary meal and then went to bed. She was so exhausted from her travels that she slept through breakfast the next morning.
After dressing, Mary hurried across to John"s studio. He was waiting anxiously to hear what had transpired in Ann Arbor at the Etherton Gallery.
“The gallery is beautiful. I viewed the work of several important artists.”
John seemed stunned by his good fortune. “I have been afraid you would return and tell me it was all a mistake, a foolish dream.” He didn"t even ask how much the House of David was going to realize from sales made through Etherton Gallery.
“You have amazing talent, John. It was only a matter of time before someone important like Daniel Etherton discovered it.”
“I owe this success to you, Mary,” John told her. “If you had not taken pity on me and allowed me to join the colony, I probably would have given up my art.”
“It was not pity that prompted me to bring you here,” she replied sincerely. “And the colony has benefited greatly from your talent.”
“And I have benefited greatly from knowing you.” John moved forward and embraced her. She kissed him lightly and then extracted herself from his arms.
“I must contact the shipping company today. How soon will you have the large pieces ready to transport to Ann Arbor?” Mary asked.
“They are almost completed. They can be shipped within a week.”
“Mr. Etherton is anxious to see you again. I told him you would accompany the pieces to the gallery.”
“Will Benjamin approve my travel expenses?”
“Benjamin pays little attention to business matters these days. I have already made the arrangements with Jacob.”
“Will you come with me?”
“Perhaps,” Mary promised. “I must go now and deliver the paperwork to the business office.”
“Will you return to me later?”
“Perhaps,” she said again as she slipped out the door.
*** On this Thursday morning, the business office at Diamond House was busy counting the cash from Wednesday night. Chic Bell"s amateur show was drawing more and more people to the beer garden and it resulted in more sales for all the souvenir and refreshment stands as well.
Manna Wordworth, the director of the House of David orchestra, was in the office when Mary arrived. He greeted her warmly.
“I have just been talking to Jacob about transporting the orchestra to Chicago for a recording session,” Manna said proudly.
Manna was a tall, thin man with thick black hair and a beard that was so long, he braided the end of it and turned it under so that it only reached his shirt collar.
“How exciting,” Mary said.
“I have written some songs to be recorded. Listen to this lyric,” Manna began to sing in a strong baritone voice. “Down by the O-hio, I left my pretty little O-Mio.” While the song had a catchy tune, Mary suddenly stopped listening. In a far corner of the office, Evelyn Warren sat at a desk totally absorbed in entering figures in a ledger book.
Manna finished the song and some of the staff members clapped their hands. He was pleased by their response and didn"t notice that Mary was standing still as a statue staring beyond him.
As Manna took a small bow and left the office, Mary made her way to the back of the office to Evelyn"s desk.
“Have you been assigned new duties?” Mary asked sternly.
Evelyn looked up, startled by her question. “Yes, ma"am.”
“You"re no longer helping Lena?”
“No ma"am. Tilly Wasner is working with her now.”
“Since when?”
“Since Monday. I"ve been working here since Monday,” Evelyn answered evenly.
“Monday? The day I left for Ann Arbor?”
“I guess.”
Evelyn"s voice remained soft and respectful. Mary"s voice was raised and her tone unpleasant, Jacob, ever the peacemaker hurried over to Evelyn"s desk.
“Mary, can I assist you with something?”
Mary turned to Jacob with a menacing look. “Who assigned this girl to work in the office?”
“I did.”
“And is she living here at Diamond House?” Mary asked.
“Yes. You know that it is more convenient for the staff to be here on the premises as they often work late at night.”
Mary turned back to Evelyn. “Does Coy know about this change?”
“I don"t kno
w, ma"am. I just do what I"m told.”
Jacob tried to intervene again. “We have been unable to communicate with Coy. The team is moving from city to city playing teams in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.”
“I know that,” Mary said in an icy tone. “What I want to know is why this girl was reassigned after Coy arranged for her to work with Lena.”
“Evelyn has been doing a fine job keeping the sales figures for the art stand, which is why Benjamin thought…”
Mary interrupted him. “Benjamin. Yes, I thought maybe this was his idea.”
Jacob quickly moved aside as Mary turned and left the office. With Jacob in the office, Mary knew that Benjamin was not out on the Star of Bethlehem. She hurried up the staircase to the top floor of the house and banged on his door.
One of the girls from the Inner Circle, a pretty, petite girl named, Frances, opened the door. Mary pushed past her into the sitting room where Benjamin was lounging on the silk covered sofa he had shipped across the ocean from England. He was dressed in a long wine colored dressing gown that contrasted nicely with the cream colored brocade that covered the sofa and arm chairs in the room. Two of the other Inner Circle girls were seated on either side of Benjamin and they like Frances stiffened at the site of Mary.
“Send the girls away,” Mary said without preamble. “I want to speak to you privately.”
Ben nodded and the girls scurried out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. Benjamin rose from the sofa and tied the belt around his dressing gown that had been hanging open.
“All right,” he finally said. “We"re quite alone.”
“You have your choice of any girl in this colony. Why are you after the one girl that Coy wants?”
“My dear,” Benjamin said in a soothing tone. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“I"m talking about Evelyn. I wrote you a note about her before I left for Ann Arbor.”
“Oh, yes,” he said walking over to the highly polished desk that contained volumes of his sacred writings. He picked up Mary"s note. It was still sealed in the envelope. “I"m afraid I haven"t read it yet.”
Mary grabbed it out his hand and ripped it in half. “I want Evelyn out of that office and out of this house. When Coy returns home, he will find her just as he left her.”
Benjamin laughed softly. “Really, Mary. I"m sure that Coy is enjoying the favors of many young ladies. Athletes are very popular with women.”
„I"m warning you, Benjamin. I have already lost one child. I am not going to lose another one.”
Benjamin stepped back, upset by her remark. “And I have not shared your loss?” he whispered. “There is not a day that goes by that I don"t wish that Hettie were here.”
“I know that. I sometimes think that Hettie"s death is what compels you to keep these other young girls around you night and day. As soon as they pass the age of sixteen, you send them away and replace them with younger girls. That is why I don"t understand about this Evelyn. She is already past the age to please you.”
“Perhaps it is because she is a naïve farm girl,” he reached out and touched Mary"s flushed angry face. “You of all people should know that I find them most appealing.”
Mary backed away from his touch. “She is just one more girl to you. You will have her and move on to the next one. Face it, Benjamin, all the young virgins in the world cannot bring back Hettie or keep you young.”
“Get out of here.” Benjamin"s dark eyes flashed with anger.
“Not until you promise to send Evelyn back to her parent"s farm, far away from you.”
“And what do you offer in return for this favor you request of me?”
“I am your wife. After all the years I have faithfully stood at your side, this is the least you can do for me.”
“It would seem that in recent years, you have stood at another man"s side. Your frequent trips to his studio have not escaped notice.”
“John is my friend and our colony has benefited greatly from his talents. You know that we signed a generous contract with Etherton Gallery. You know that is the reason I traveled to Ann Arbor.”
Benjamin smiled. “Oh, yes. That is why you were not here when Evelyn moved her things into the house.”
“I repeat my request to have the girl sent back to her parent"s farm. Are you going to honor my wishes or not?”
“Are you going to honor my wishes and send the artist away?”
“Yes,” Mary replied. “As soon as you disband the Inner Circle and move back into my bed.”
Mary expected Benjamin to react angrily to her defiant request, but as he had done so many times during their marriage, he surprised her with a smile instead.
“You are no longer the simple girl I met in the hills of Kentucky. You have become quite manipulative.”
“I have learned many things from the Seventh Angelic Messenger.”
“Very well, Mary. It shall be as you wish. The young lady shall be sent back to the Warren farm today.”
“Thank you, Benjamin. I bid you good day.”
Mary turned and left the suite as Benjamin returned to the sofa to await the return of his Inner Circle.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
This was only the third season for the House of David baseball team. Since they did not belong to a formal league, they played other teams that didn"t belong to formal leagues. The sport of baseball was a national phenomenon and new teams were formed all the time. Since Negroes were not allowed to play in the major leagues, the black players formed their own teams and were formidable opponents.
The teams played games during the day and traveled by night, somehow cramming themselves into three vehicles. Often they had their meals at the side of a road, while discussing strategies for the next day"s game.
“The field we"re playing on tomorrow has a long right field line and an even longer left field line, and we won"t even talk about the distance from the plate to the center field fence,” Les Bell who played center field said. “No easy homers there.”
“I think all the fields should be like ours,” his brother, Stan, added.
“Our field is great for you hitters,” Coy said, but for us pitchers, it allows too many easy hits and homers.
“Coy"s right,” Lefty Sloan, another pitcher said. “I heard those LaPorte guys saying our field was a hitter"s paradise. Two Hundred Twenty Two down the right field line is too short, and the left field line isn"t much longer.”
The road trip was almost over and the food supply they had taken from the colony was beginning to run out. The players were eating tomatoes grown on the House of David farms, biting into them like they were apples. Loaves of bread purchased from the town they had just left were passed around along with fresh peaches from the colony"s orchards that were starting to turn brown.
Coy Purnell broke off a hunk of bread and began picking at the center of it. He could have remained at the colony and enjoyed the fine meals and all the comforts of the Diamond House and the deferential treatment he received as King Benjamin"s son. He had chosen to play baseball and travel with the team. Coy was not the best pitcher on the team, but he was talented enough to earn the respect of the other players.
While traveling from town to town was sometimes difficult, it got him away from the colony and the scrutiny of his father.
From the day that Hettie died in the fire, Benjamin had treated Coy differently. There had never been any doubt in Coy"s mind that Hettie was the favorite child, but she was a good, loving sister and when she was alive he never minded the extra attention Benjamin showered on her. It was only after her death that he came to resent her, because it was clear to him that Benjamin wished that Coy had been the one to die in the fire instead of Hettie.
From that day on, Coy always felt that he had to prove his worth to Benjamin. Out on the road with the team, Coy could relax and be himself, just one of the guys. He had pitched that day and would just sit on the bench tomorrow and watch the game.
The fact t
hat he had pitched all nine innings and won the game was still making him feel good.
During the next week, the team would play three different teams in Michigan City and would be able to stay in a hotel instead of sleeping in the cars. Then, they would return to Benton Harbor.
Unaware of what had happened at the Diamond House, Coy fell asleep that night thinking about Evelyn. He had been gone a long time, almost six weeks, and a pretty girl like Evelyn shouldn"t be left alone that long. He had written her a few letters, but of course she didn"t write back. Even if she had, he wouldn"t have gotten the letters as they never stayed in one place long enough to receive mail. Coy was going to be twentyone in a few months. It was time for him to leave his father"s house and build his own. It was time for him to take a wife and Evelyn Warren was the girl he wanted to marry.
Despite the virgin law Benjamin had enforced, couples were still getting married at the colony. Coy doubted if they were living like brother and sister, but as Benjamin"s son the colonists might expect him to follow the law. Of course, Coy had been thinking of leaving the colony for some time now, and since Evelyn was not happy living there, she would most likely be happy to have him take her away from there.
*** When John delivered the first few pieces to the Etherton Gallery, he spent two days as a guest at Daniel Etherton"s estate. They spent many long hours discussing art and John"s career. The pieces that Etherton displayed in the gallery were sold on the same day they arrived. Etherton"s clients were asking for more.
“How deep are your ties with this religious colony?” Etherton asked bluntly as they had dinner the night before John was to return to Benton Harbor.
“To be honest, I only went there because they offered me a free place to live and work. I am not really a believer in King Benjamin or his teachings.”
“Would you be willing to leave there and take up residence here in Ann Arbor?”
“I would consider it, if the circumstances were good.”
For the next few hours, Etherton and Assanti discussed the circumstances and by the time John boarded the train they had a written agreement. The contract that Etherton had signed with Mary was only valid as long as John Assanti was a member of the House of David colony.