Beauty of Man and Woman - Volume 13: Bomaw

by Mercedes Keyes

  His pensive silence before her made her look up at him, and into his eyes. Both thinking about the last thing she said.

  Then something occurred to him, “Have you told me about my father, because you want me to go to him, for help?”

  There was no way to deny it, “Yes… you can’t risk folks knowing about us Jacob, you cannot.”

  He sighed turning away from her. Going to the bed, he sat down putting his shoes on. After tying them, he stood and made his way from the room to find his coat. Virginia slowly followed, leaning in the doorway watching him, waiting. It was past one in the morning.

  “Jacob?…” She called his name in question.

  He stopped with his hand on the door knob, “You know doing that means me having to swallow my pride - but I won’t have my son hurt. You hurt, the girls… hurt. I’ll do it … I’ll go to him.” And he was gone.

  The next day, he showed up at his father’s hardware store. His dad had a routine, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday he could be found at the hardware store and Thursday through Saturday, he was out of town at the warehouse - Ferguson & McPherson Screw, Nuts & Bolts. This was a Tuesday. Walking in he could tell things were still quiet - not good for sales. This could also be told by the look on Dick’s face. Richard had been working for his father for some time now. If things didn’t pick up soon, he would be without a job - his insecurity showed. Jacob smiled at him, pretending that all was well in the world. Dick was busy dusting everything off, trying to stay as busy as possible. “My dad in?” Jacob asked, already knowing the answer. Dick nodded and kept his focus on the job at hand.

  Reaching the back of the store, Jacob walked through the storage area heading straight for the office, knocking first and then twisting the doorknob to let himself in at the same time his father called out, “Yeah - what?!” He sounded cranky. No wonder Dick was almost sweating as he worked, he feared getting the ax. One thing was clear as Jacob entered, his dad was already drinking. It was a bit too early in the day to be drinking so more than the hardware store’s lack of business was bothering him. The question was, what? Or … who?

  GM was surprised to see his son instead of Dick.

  His son - his presence made his eyes widen as well making him feel conscientious for drinking in the afternoon. Surprising as well was evidence that his son, although it had been almost two years since he last saw him, appeared to have changed, and grown a bit into his manhood. He wasn’t so slim anymore, nothing extreme, but the maturing was taking place in his face, his jaw, his eyes. He was looking more like a man, less like a boy, or rather, a teenager who had left on a holiday that long ago day. He hadn’t seen him since he put him on that boat. It was clear, since that day, his son had taken over his own life and hadn’t come to him for anything in all that time. So for him to be standing in his office now, meant something was up. He’d like to think he was there because he missed him. Somehow he knew that wasn’t the case, it was there in his eyes - nothing soft, or remorseful. His look was one of someone forced or resigned to do something they weren’t looking forward to.

  Exhaling, GM leaned back comfortably in his spring loaded tilt office chair, lifting a brow, “Well well, if it isn’t the prodigal son.”

  “Prodigal? Not hardly, this isn’t a return.”

  The father nodded his head, “I see…” GM accepted, and sighing, “…how much?” He assumed it was money.

  “Wrong again - don’t need your money.” Jacob corrected without hesitation.

  GM pursed his lips, shifting them about his face, both brows in the air giving the expression time as he nodded, thinking what else could it be then. Needing a moment more, he sipped from his drink, lowing it he asked, “Not a return? Not here for money? Why then are you here?”

  “I need…” Jacob glanced away, took a deep breath to force it out, and looking back, “…you, you - promised to protect Virginia.”

  Hearing her name brought GM forward in his chair. His expression cleared to a blank. His son had his full attention now. His entire manner underwent an immediate transformation, the drink left him uninhibited - left him with his guards down, causing him to betray that which he hid within, how he felt about Virginia Piercey. His adrenal fueled reaction could not be mistaken.

  He son saw the change. He recognized the body language, the reaction - because he often betrayed himself this way when it came to her.

  As if he couldn’t control himself, GM blurted, “What about Virginia? Has something happened to her?” The panic, the fear was there in his tone.

  Jacob had to overcome what was obvious to him now, that his father had feelings for Virginia, strong feelings. He wanted to turn and walk away, but couldn’t - he had to put her and the kids first - above his feelings. “Nothing has happened yet - but - she’s riling the locals in Greenville. That can’t take the shame she’s causing them. It’s possible she may be in danger. I can’t be certain but there are whites that are jealous about what she’s done for the black community there. They’re thriving, doing well - she did that.”

  “Of course she did that.” GM stated as if there was no doubt about it. He knew, Virginia Piercey, what she was capable of, and accusingly snarled at his son, “You took her there, this can all be laid at your door.”

  Defending himself, Jacob reminded his father, “Your wife-…”

  “Your mother-…” GM threw back at him.

  “Your wife…” Jacob repeated to go on, “…left me little choice. She wanted to get rid of my son - her own flesh and blood grandson.”

  “Had you been more careful-…”

  “I regret nothing! My only shame is that I cannot make her my wife!”

  GM’s face lit up red and bright, blurting before thinking, “It’s against the law - or I would have…” He caught himself. He put his drink down, it was making his tongue loose.

  Jacob stood a moment burning with jealously and resentment, “Or you would - have - what?” He asked slowly.

  GM’s eyes finally lifted to pierce his son’s, and for that brief moment, he didn’t care to hide anymore, “I would have had her, myself - as - my … wife! You know how rare a woman like that is? That’s a woman made for a man, a real man… like me, not some - wet behind the ears boy… trying to be a man, like… you.”

  Something neither thought would have ever happened between them, father faced off with son.

  Jacob stood a moment, thinking before he spoke. It would be counterproductive for him to get into a battle with his father over Virginia when in truth - neither of them could really have her. On paper, she belonged to another. Taking a deep breath to start over, “In either case father, she’s not yours, and in truth, should not be mine - she is bound to Reginald Piercey. Accept it, I’ve had to.”

  GM’s face turned a deeper red hue, now that he’d openly admitted his feelings to his son - it was like unplugging a flooded dike, “I don’t have to accept anything!” He growled low.

  His words worried Jacob, “What do you mean by that? Don’t forget, you do have a wife at home, remember… mother?”

  Again his father felt his face flame. He looked away from his son, lost in thought. All of a sudden, he resented being married and tied to Lida Bell. Ever since she’d shown that ugly one within, he was struggling feeling the same about her. The reason more than anything was that he wanted Virginia. He’d been wanting her for some time now - but suddenly, an urgency was building in him to have her. Each day, the crazier things became in his life, the more unstable and chaotic business, legal and illegal - as well his discontentment at home - to escape it all - he daydreamed of Virginia Piercey. He was jealous that his son could go to her and he couldn’t. He even regretted being faithful to Lida Bell - instead of having Virginia for his mistress.

  “Dad?”

  GM’s eyes returned to his son.

  “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea, coming to you.”

  GM hesitated a moment and then said, “I gave my word that she would be protected. I never break my word.
Besides, she’s the mother of my grandson, my first and only grandson. Give me names, who is plotting against her, against them?”

  Jacob wondered if perhaps he should have found another way to handle this, “How are you going to protect her?”

  “Don’t you worry about that, if you could protect her - you wouldn’t be here now would you? So leave it up to me, and tell me what I need to know.”

  Jacob couldn’t argue with his father. He didn’t like having to go this route, but he wasn’t willing to take any chances leaving her vulnerable to what might be. Rev. Purde had spoken to his congregation, but sitting back and watching the reaction from some of the men during the service, he could see it in their eyes, they weren’t listening. Jacob spoke up, “Right now - a few seem to be murmuring against the small community, but that number can grow - in fact, I don’t doubt it will. They’re envious that blacks are doing what they haven’t figured to do. The angry ones are losing their farms, their property, businesses are closing up - they can’t afford to feed their families and then to see the blacks successful - it’s bringing out the worst in them.”

  GM harrumphed, snarling up at his son, “And where is your GOD now? Funny how you come to me instead of going to Him.”

  “I think you’ve had enough to drink. No man has a right to challenge GOD and put Him to the test, that includes you. Jealousy, envy, coveting the hard work and success of others are all acts and feelings of the devil and men. Their actions aren’t His will. Besides, He has a point to prove, and He will not intercede until that point is proven and the time He’s given us is up. This world, is our making - the problems we have is our doing especially when we don’t follow-…”

  “All right, all right, all right - don’t need your preaching at me.”

  Both men went quiet.

  GM grabbed a tablet and pencil, pushing it towards his son, “Names - where can they be found, their property.”

  “What are you going to do?” Jacob asked nervously.

  “What do you think? I’m going to make sure no one harms a hair on Virginia Piercey’s head - that’s what I’m going to do.”

  “What if my fears are just that? What if it’s all talk, nothing more?” He asked.

  “I doubt it.”

  “I - I want you to wait, I want you to make sure they’re up to something before you do anything. I won’t have innocent harmed because I overreacted.”

  “I don’t think you’re overreacting.”

  “I want to be sure.”

  GM gave him a slightly exasperated look, “How exactly do you expect me to do that?”

  “I gave it a lot of thought, you can send in a spy. A fake or two. Pretending to be just like them. If there’s only a few, they’ll welcome more like them because the more the merry, right? Those types need more like them to feel brave.”

  GM began nodding his head, considering it, he could see how that would work.

  Jacob continued saying, “If they plan to do something, your guy, or guys will tell us the plan and then if they actually go through with it, well - then - okay. You do what you have to, I’ve got nothing to say.” Jacob finished.

  Sitting back, GM nodded, “Leave it with me, I’ll take care of everything.”

  “Promise - give me your word - if they don’t do anything, you won’t do anything - your word.”

  “Yes son, I don’t make a move unless they make a move.”

  Jacob stood a moment gazing at his father, wishing things could have been different between them, they’d once been close - now, nothing was the same, “Thank you.”

  “My word - is - my bond.”

  A day or so later, two white males drove into town, “looking for work” - they spotted a small cluster of men loitering in front of the pharmacy / soda fountain. Looking around, they strolled up, looking the various faces over, “Afternoon…” they started, “I’m Larry, this my brother Calvin - we looking for work, been all over the place.”

  The group turned to them opening up introductions immediately, some nodding friendly like, “This here is Bill, I’m Merle and that there is Jr. And this is Curtis. Now uh, as for work… we in the same boat.”

  Larry the new guy, stood a moment shaking his head, hands on his hips - an expression of disgust, “Dagblasted it all - I swear I’ve had just about enough of this nonsense - something mighty wrong when a hard working white man can’t find a job! I’ah tell you what the problem is…” he nodded, brows high, face stern and hostile, pointing and gesturing before the group, “…this all ‘cause of them darkies - they done took up everything rightly belonging to us, ‘specially jobs!” He clicked the trigger, no more needed to be said.

  “Well now, well now - we was all just saying that very thing!” Right away the small group couldn’t speak fast enough to agree and carry on with, “You ask me, it’s full out, out of control. Somethin’s gotta be done - somethin’s gotta change around here.” One said, with another adding, “Like them niggers South of here, New-Town Virginiaville,” He spat with distaste, “I wanna know what they doing there to make it when we can’t!”

  “I can’t keep no food on my table.” Another whined.

  “We’s all in the same boat - while they there gettin’ as fat and greasy as you please.”

  “They’s makin’ it you know ‘cause they do that devil worship, that voodoo - that’s what they do. Sellin’ they soul I’m bettin’.” Another voiced up to inform the new comers.

  A few made a big show of shivering, making faces, for one to start preaching, “Well this here a God fearin’ Christian community and we don’t take to the likes of devil worshiping of any sort around here.”

  “Here-here!” A few sent up a shout.

  “This why we gotta do, what we gotta do.” One from the group reminded the others.

  “Sounds like just the sort of thing we’d like to be in on. We done had it with these darkies taking over everywhere, taking up all the jobs - making it impossible for men like us to take care of our own. Tell you what, we’ah help you with yours, you help us with ours.” Larry and Calvin stood offering themselves as a head count to add.

  Laughter, gladness and rubbing hands showed the group couldn’t wait to get their plan underway.

  * * *

  Bonita, who no longer lived with Virginia, was there, full of excitement because she was getting married and Virginia set about designing a stunning wedding dress for her. She was in love with it. Virginia had until spring to work on it in the midst of planning Bonita’s wedding. As they sat, talked and discussed it while it was getting late - the children were making all kinds of racket and Virginia wanted to get Jacob Edward down for the night. “Josephine!” She called out, “That’s enough of you all playing with that boy, get him in his crib so he can go to sleep.”

  “Mama it’s Jacob making all that noise, he ain’t sleepy - he all over the place laughing and being bad.” Josephine walked in whining with her baby brother on her hip, and sure enough, he was full of animation and laughing. Big fat golden hued curls stood high on his round head, with twinkling mischievous green eyes. The olive tanned, happy little tyke was jerking back and forth, side to side, playing and trying to first kiss his sister and then bite her, who was trying to hold him away and dodge him, tickled herself. “See, he ain’t sleepy at all. I tried to lay him down, he just wanna play.”

  “Stop teasing him-…”

  “I ain’t mama!”

  “Josephine - I heard you all laughing - that’s what’s keeping him excited. Oh what I would give for one night of sleep.” Virginia exhaled.

  Standing, mind made up, Bonita started gathering her things saying, “That’s it - I’m taking the kids to my house - lil’man Jacob Edward included. This way you can work on my dress in peace and get yourself a full nights rest.” She was adamant and wasn’t taking no for an answer.

  “Oh no, not Jacob too, he too-…”

  “Em-hm, takin’ him too, he’ll be fine. He used to me, won’t be the first time he’s slept
at mine.”

  “Not all night Bonita - that was just in the day.”

  “Girls gonna be there - he’ah be okay, ‘sides I ain’t takin’ no for an answer. It’s part of my payment for my dress.”

  “You don’t owe me anything for this dress - I told you, all that you’ve done for me, and helped me, oh no.”

  Bonita waved Virginia off turning to the kids, “Come on ya’ll get your stuff, Josephine get the baby’s stuff.” They ran off excited to do just that.

  Virginia was standing now, nervously biting on the corner of her mouth, unsure, “You sure, I’m so tempted.”

  “You need this, I should’ah done this a long time ago - ya’ll hurry up now, make sure the baby got everything he need.”

  “Let me go make sure,” Virginia took off to get the kids ready, now that the idea was sinking in, she was excited for the prospect of having a night all to herself. In a whirlwind of activity, Bonita had her daughter and Virginia’s three, bundled up, loaded with overnight provisions and was soon out the door. Locking it behind them Virginia gave a sigh of relief. Peace and quiet, finally! Because it wasn’t quite dark yet and Bonita would be home with the kids soon, Virginia knew they’d be safe. Besides, she lived next door to her future husband, and he was extra protective and attentive to her and the children.