The Prodigy Slave, Book Two: The Old World: (Revised Edition 2020)

by Londyn Skye

  James then pulled himself away from the library and walked further down the hall. His heart sank when he walked into William’s den and saw the torched remains of Emma’s portrait sitting in the corner of the room. He did not bother to take a step further inside once he saw it. The thought of how shattered William’s heart was after seeing his wife’s charred image was far too much for James to bear. He quickly left there and walked upstairs. He entered the bedroom that Lily slept in while she was there. The fresh scent of the handmade lotion Anna Mae had given Lily used to pleasantly invade James’s nose upon entry. But now he was overcome with the harsh smell of paint fumes as he stood in the center of the room. Thinking of Lily’s wonderful scent reminded James of the moment he had professed his love to her while standing in the very spot he was now. He then felt a pulse of heat radiating through him when he recalled how passionately they had made love to each other for the very first time that same night. He looked at the stage-like platform in the middle of the room to find that the bed that beautiful moment had taken place in was gone forever. It was now nothing more than a memory, much like William’s mother’s hand-stitched comforter and all the books William’s father had read to him as a boy.

  Inside of William’s luxurious home, James had experienced such excitement during the chaos of preparing for Lily’s show. He had laughed a lot and grew to feel as though everyone there was his family, a new and wonderful feeling that was foreign to him in his father’s home. What James cherished most about living there was the fact that he had the freedom to truly be himself while reconciling with his best friend. James’s days within the walls of Werthington mansion had been priceless, much like the antiques and treasures that brought so much character to the home. So, as he marched toward the newly rebuilt grand dual staircase, James was struggling to accept that the only thing remaining of William’s old palace in Paradise were some of the fondest memories of his adult life.

  As he descended the stairs, James felt his knees weaken as a wave of grief hit him. Had he never pulled his wagon between the gates embossed with the Werthington name, had he never knocked on the decorative front door, had Ben never let him in, William would probably be relaxing in his porch swing smoking his pipe, or sitting on his stone bench near his wife’s tombstone speaking to her. But now, because of his decision to bring Lily there, James felt solely responsible for William losing everything in his beloved home, including Anna Mae and Ben. His grief further deepened when he considered that a terrorist organization founded by his very own father had carried out the barbaric, irreparable destruction. The enormity of it all brought forth another surge of tears in James and ignited searing regret for ever bringing Lily into William Werthington’s life. Wanting desperately to escape the pain and shame of those facts, James needed to get out of that house as quickly as possible. He made his way out of William’s bare mansion, feeling as emotionally crumbled as the house once was after it had burned to the ground. But once he exited the kitchen door, the only thing he had escaped was the sound of hammering and the smell of fresh paint.

  With deep regret still in tow, James stepped out onto the porch and saw the amphitheater. He paused and let his eyes roam over the beautiful architecture that he and Ben had helped put into place. James realized during that time that Isabel had indeed gotten her chatty ways from her father, Big Ben, as he was once called. Ben was constantly telling stories infused with humor while everyone was sweating and literally bleeding to finish their one-of-a-kind project. To push all the young men harder, Ben’s favorite lines were, “Why y’all lettin’ an old decrepit man like me run circles ’round y’all?!” and, “Lawd have mercy! I see God just don’t make hardworkin’ men like me anymore!” His sarcastic verbal antics kept everyone laughing and their spirits high, despite the misery of the sun beaming down on them in the midst of an Ohio heatwave. He had undoubtedly made the grueling work a delight for everyone.

  James was so lost in thought about Ben that he did not even remember walking up the steps to the very amphitheater they had worked on together. He glanced down at the workmanship. Although marred by burned out torches, its original wood still remained. Even the added elevator that William had used to lower his piano beneath the stage still remained in working order. James then walked back down the steps and sat in the seat he was in for Lily’s very first concert. He closed his eyes and recalled the events leading up to that evening. His mind went straight to the moment he had walked into Lily’s room and saw the fruits of Anna Mae’s labor, perfectly outlining Lily’s body. He recalled the proud look on Anna Mae’s face while she stood staring at Lily with happy tears welling in her eyes. James was so thankful for what she had done for Lily that night. And even now, as he sat by himself in the front row, he whispered, “Thank you, Anna Mae,” feeling gratitude tenfold.

  James then sat there with his eyes closed and watched Lily replay her very first show in his mind. He could see and feel the fireworks rocking the night sky after her very first number. He relived the way she had commanded the audience from then on, making them laugh at will and bringing them to tears after stirring their emotions with a blend of her choreographed shadowed skits and her unique music. Even though he was only witnessing the show in his mind, he swore he could feel Anna Mae squeezing his right hand and Isabel squeezing his left as an angel spread its shadowed wings across the tapestry and embraced its child after it ascended into the heavens during the grand finale. He was then suddenly riddled with goosebumps all over again when he thought back to the moment that Lily had walked to the forefront of the stage, adorned in Anna Mae’s exquisite handmade gown. Isabel had hugged James tight when the show ended that night. He now wished he could hug her even tighter and tell her how sorry he was for her loss. Still completely unaware that Elijah had anything to do with the demise of Lily’s show, James even felt the urge to say sorry to him as well, despite how much he detested the man.

  With a heavy heart, James finally rose from his sacred center-front row seat and walked to the flowered gravesite where William’s wife Emma lay. As he got closer, he could indeed see two other headstones just to the left of hers. He felt a tightness in his chest again by the time he arrived and hovered over the plots of Anna Mae and Benjamin “Big Ben” Ridley’s plots. He knelt and placed a bouquet of fresh flowers in each stone vase and said a prayer. “Amen,” he whispered as he let a few stray tears finally fall. He then turned and solemnly returned to the carriage and guided the horses back toward Harrison’s law firm.

  “Do you know where William is?” James asked Harrison when he returned.

  “I heard he was up in Manhattan with his sons. I ain’t certain, but that seems plausible. I doubt he’d wanna be anywhere near here for the time bein’.”

  “Makes sense. That’s kind ‘a where I figured he’d be.”

  “You gonna head up that way?”

  “Naw, I think a letter might have to suffice. I’d love to speak to ’em face to face, but I don’t think I can afford it right now. With the situation I’m in, I’ve gotta hold on to every penny I’ve got.”

  Harrison reached in his wallet and threw some cash on his desk. “Then take this.”

  James looked down at all the twenty-dollar bills in front of him. “Harrison, I can’t take that from you.”

  “Stop tryna be a hard-ass Adams. Take the money. You’d do the same for me if I needed it.”

  “You’re right, I would.”

  Harrison pushed the money forward on his desk. “Betta’ hurry. I think the last train headed to Manhattan pulls outta here in the next hour or so.”

  “I owe you for this,” James said as he picked up the money.

  “Send me a birthday bottle ‘a whiskey and we can call it even. Gotta keep my liquor cabinet stocked to keep myself from goin’ nuts doin’ this damn job some days,” Harrison joked.

  James managed a light laugh. “I think I can handle that.”

  Harrison put on his coat. “C’mon, I’ll walk ova’ with ya’.” Being a
lawyer, he certainly had plenty of work to be done in his office but being there for his friend trumped all of it. He traipsed across the road with James to the train station and stood off to the side while he finalized his purchase at the ticket booth.

  “I got an hour to kill,” James informed Harrison once he had his ticket in hand.

  “Lemme buy you a drink while you wait then.”

  “Thanks. I can certainly use it.”

  “Me too,” Harrison concurred, giving James a manly pat on the back before they walked across the road to Buck’s Tavern. Harrison knew James well and figured he probably would not want to talk much after the day’s revelations. He was fine with the lack of conversation. At the very least, he just wanted to comfort his good friend with food and the hardest top-shelf liquor available.

  James only picked at the food that Harrison bought him, but he slammed one shot of liquor after another like he was trying to intoxicate his soul. Every time James sat an empty shot glass on the table, Harrison swirled his finger in the air to let the bartender know to keep the rounds coming. After his fourth shot, James had numbed himself enough to speak. His choice of topic was proof that the top-shelf liquor had left him with zero inhibitions. “I’m gonna be a fatha’, Harrison,” he said out of the blue, staring emptily at the table. The thought of it actually managed to bring a hint of a smile to his face, despite how sad he was feeling over Anna Mae and Ben’s deaths.

  “Congratulations! Damn, that makes two of us.”

  “You too, huh?”

  “Yeah, Lauren told me just a few weeks ago.”

  “Congrats to you too then!” James said, raising his freshly filled shot glass in the air. He then touched it to Harrison’s.

  Harrison guzzled his drink and sat it down. “The way we partied and drank in school, I’m surprised we still have our heads on straight, let alone had enough luck to find two women who felt we were worthy enough to bear our children,” he laughed. He then suddenly paused when he realized something. “Wait a minute. Who’s the lucky lady?”

  James raised his head and looked right into the eyes of his fraternity brother. “Lily,” he answered bluntly.

  Harrison just stared back at him in complete silence.

  James was silent too while his thoughts drifted away. “I’m gonna marry her, Harrison.”

  Harrison finally opened his mouth to speak but James threw his hand up to stop him from saying anything.

  “Spare me the lecture.” James waved his hand dismissively. “Bein’ a lawya’, I know you’re about to say that our union will neva’ be legally bindin’ and that…”

  “Naw, actually you’re wrong,” Harrison interrupted. “That ain’t what I wanted to say at all. I certainly know the laws backwards and forwards, Adams. But that doesn’t always mean I agree with every one of ’em. So, all I wanted to say was that it’s about damn time ya’ did somethin’ that’ll truly make ya’ happy.” He reached over and placed a reassuring hand on his good friend’s shoulder. “I’m just happy that you’re happy.”

  “It means a lot to me to hear you say that.”

  “Truth be told, I couldn’t think of a more perfect woman for you. Lily’s smart, talented, funny, sophisticated … not to mention might-y fiiine,” Harrison said as he raised his glass and smiled.

  “Watch it now. Them’s fightin’ words,” James joked.

  “Calm down, now. Just rememba’ where ya’ ended up last time ya’ had a fight in here.”

  James laughed. “True words.”

  “It just ain’t fair though, Adams. You always did end up with the pick of every litta’ and left me scroungin’ through all the runts you left behind.”

  “Hey, I ain’t gonna let you talk about your wife that way,” he joked.

  They laughed in unison and then turned their heads toward the tavern door when they heard the train whistle blowing across the way, signaling their first call for boarding. Harrison threw down enough money on the table for the food and drinks and a hefty tip. He then walked James back across the road to the train station.

  On the platform, James stopped and stood shoulder to shoulder staring at the train with Harrison. “The Sunday afta’ Easter, I’ll be marryin’ the love of my life.” He turned to look at his long-time friend. “I wish you could be there with me. With such a high-profile job, I’d neva’ ask you to compromise it by comin’. But just know that, in spirit, you’ll be standin’ up there beside me as my best man.”

  “Even though it’s only in spirit, I feel honored,” Harrison replied.

  When the train whistle blew again, James picked up his satchel and threw it over his shoulder. “Harrison, you’ve been a great friend to me unconditionally, and you’ve been there for me in ways that my own family would neva’ botha’. For everything you’ve eva’ done for me, I just wanna tell you thank you.” He extended his hand for him to shake. “You have my sincerest gratitude.”

  Harrison disregarded his hand and embraced James like a brother. “It’s always been my pleasure, Adams.” He let him go and slapped him on the shoulder. “Take care ‘a that little baby and that soon-to-be wife ‘a yours, ya’ hear?”

  “You do the same,” James replied. He then disappeared into a train that was bound for Manhattan, New York.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Slave Code

  Article II Section XII

  Any person convicted of assisting a slave by advice, donation, transportation, loan, or otherwise in any way causing them to be deprived from their master, shall pay damages to said master to be adjudged by the justices of the provincial court and shall spend up to one year in jail.

  “What the hell are you doing here?!” Emerson erupted, glaring harshly at the man in front of him. He and his twin brother, Wilson, had just grabbed their coats and were on their way to teach class at New York University. They were upbeat and bubbly as usual until they opened their front door to leave and were stunned to see who was standing there about to knock. The kind green eyes the twins had inherited from their father instantly squinted into hateful slits the moment James Adams was reflected in them.

  James cleared his throat. “Emerson. Wilson,” he greeted calmly, unsure which one to glance at when he spoke their names. “Look, I know I’m not welcome here but…”

  “You’re damn right you’re not!” Wilson spat.

  “That’s completely unda’standable, but for Lily’s sake I’s hopin’ to speak to William.”

  “What the hell makes you think he’d want to see you?!” Emerson demanded to know.

  “How dare you have the audacity to show up here after everything you’ve done!” Wilson interjected before James could speak.

  “You ripped our father apart!”

  “Boys! Boys! Boys!” William shouted in-between the ruckus as he walked up behind them.

  James stood there and took their verbal assault because he knew he deserved it. Despite the fact that the twins were usually very comical, James was not at all surprised at how his presence had sent their emotions dashing to the other side of the spectrum. In fact, he expected it and had mentally prepared himself while on the journey up.

  William, however, had immediately calmed the situation. After silencing his sons, he stood there between them and stared just as coldly at James. “You two go on to the University,” he told them while keeping his eyes trained on James.

  “Are you sure father?” Emerson asked, also refusing to stop glaring at James.

  “Go on to your classes. I’ll be fine.”

  His loyal sons still refused to move.

  “Go on, your students are waiting. I’ll be fine,” William assured them again.

  Their unhappiness with leaving their father there alone showed in the way that they put on their hats and coats while still glaring at James. Reluctantly, though, they picked up their briefcases and breezed by James with hatred in their eyes as they exited.

  William left the door open and walked away from it when his sons were gone. James look
ed around in confusion and then hesitantly followed behind him after assuming that’s what William wanted. William walked into the study and immediately poured himself a glass of scotch. It was early in the morning, but after seeing James again, he needed it. Chamomile tea did not nearly have the strength needed to settle him down after coming face to face with the man who had ripped his heart out just months earlier. He took a sip of his drink, then turned around and stared coldly at James again while he waited for the Scotch to calm his pulsating nerves.

  “Look, William, I know you’re mad but…”

  “Mad!? That doesn’t remotely describe what I’ve been feeling for the last few months over the fact that you destroyed an innocent young woman’s life! Fury! Outrage! Disgust! And those words just barely scratch the surface!” William barked.

  “William, I know, but can I at least attempt to say that I’m sorry?”

  “I’m not the one who needs the apology!”

  “Trust me, I’ve already apologized to Lily in every way that I know how.”

  “How ever much that is, it will still never be enough!”

  “You’re probably right, and I assure you I’m workin’ hard every day to make up for what I did to her. But she’s not the only one I need to make things up to. You deserve that too. William, I saw what they did to your house. And I heard about Anna Mae and Ben. I’m so incredibly sorry.”

  “I do not need nor do I want your apology,” he said slowly.

  “Well, I’m givin’ it anyway.”

  “If that’s all you came here for then you’ve wasted your time and your damn money.” He guzzled his scotch and slammed the glass down. “Are you finished? I’ve already had about all I can stand of you,” he said, pouring himself another glass.

  “No. I’m not finished. That’s not all I’m here for,” James replied, nervously pushing on, despite the sting of William’s words.