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"Long as I don't have to pray to get it."
I'm grumpy when I'm sick too, but no need to be such a dick about it all
"Niggers fighting in the war," he kept saying.
And there's white folx that still believe this shit today. We been here, we been Americans!
"When I find the bastard, and I will, I hope you're involved. I'd love to put you on the block."
and some still feel this way today
"Women are no great study. They are either passionate or they're not." Hester knew women to be a bit more complex than he espoused. She thought to herself how convenient it must be to be male and confident enough in that maleness to give such short shrift to the supposed weaker sex.
A word, Ms. Jenkins. A word.
Emaleigh Nichelle liked this
"I would love to debate the merits of your argument but there are none, so I will take my leave."
Go Hester
"The name does not offend me," she replied truthfully. She found his gentle regard for her feelings surprising, though. "I was once told my hands would brand me a slave for the remainder of my years." "They were correct, but as long as it doesn't brand who you are in your heart, the color of your hands, like the color of your skin, is of no consequence."
Maybe I'm feeling a baby swoon
"Yes. My father sold himself into slavery to marry her." Galen stared in shock. He'd never heard of such a thing!
you and me both Galen
"Has it ever occurred to you to say please?" "It has."
What a dickhed!
He took the small silver tin from her hand, pried off the top, then sniffed at the stuff inside. "Smells female."
The hell does that mean?
"Before any of us could react, one of the riders snatched up the child, Jake, and took him up on his mount. He put a gun to his head and offered Ephraim a choice."
:o
His prejudices had caused many arguments among the members, especially in light of all the work done by women on behalf of similar committees throughout the country.
As it still goes today
Reverend, I seriously think we should discuss Hester's continuing role in the harboring of such an important man."
I think the fuck not you crusty old bitch
i bet he's the bad guy
Porter Greer lived about twenty-five miles south of Whittaker and made his living kidnapping runaways.
And that area is still racist as hell today!
They'd always been special friends. He'd loved her Aunt Katherine from afar for most of Hester's life, yet he'd never acted upon his feelings out of respect for his wife, still in bondage in Kentucky.
so real. That's Like in that christmas book i read
"No one will see you. There isn't a house for miles. Besides, Shoe is holed up south of here, down in Monroe."
I knew it! I knew that's where he stayed!
I'm of the opinion that slavery's reputation is far more sullied than mine will ever be."
A word!
Galen's eyes swept over a big black bathing tub inlaid with mother of pearl. Its exotic beauty captured his attention.
She has a thing for bathtubs. I wonder what it symbolizes for her
Hester asked over her pounding heart, "I—have you seen all you need to see?" Galen thought she looked far too innocent to be in this business. In his mind, she should be married to a good man having his babies, not risking her life every day for a cause which appeared to have no end. "No, Hester Wyatt, I have not, but we can leave now." Hester blinked, put her heart back inside her ribs, and led the way.
oh. My.
He expected her to have a pistol at best, not the small, well-stocked arsenal she showed him hidden in the false back of the kitchen sideboard.
Hester ain't new to this, just true to this
"See mama. Pretty soon my hands will be just as dark as yours." The sounds in the yard were usually a mixture of voices, soft humming, and the rhythmic slap of the cloth being dipped in and out of the vats. On the heels of Ella's boast the yard became very silent. Some of the women lowered their eyes, others shook their head as if saddened. Hester, having no idea why Ella's comments had drawn such a strange reaction, looked over to her friend and saw Ella's confusion mirrored her own. Dot said gently, "Ella, Hester, hands like these are nothing to be proud of. They're slave hands. Marked
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The way children will love their parents no matter what. We really get to be their heroes regardless of how the world sees us.
Hester lay sleeping in her bed unaware that Galen sat in a chair in the shadows watching her sleep.
Nah fam, that's not cute
Hester had no desire to meet anyone but she told herself that no matter how she felt personally, Foster was still a good friend and she should be happy for him.
No he isn't! He had an obligation to you and completely disregarded it in favorof his desires for another woman. I bet she's lightskinned too :/
He asked, "Are you still wearing those god-awful shoes?"
You are such a hater :D
While Foster and Jenine shared a long, loving look, Hester glanced Galen's way and gave him a tiny roll of her eyes.
I realy do enjoy her. She is just so honest in her feelings
"The race needs more men like myself wouldn't you agree? Men able to debate the opposition on an equal plane. Men able to strike back with the words of Plato and Aristotle."
Meh. We don't do respectability politics around here. Also you seem like a bit of a ninny.
Jenine asked, "Where are you from originally, Mr. Vachon?" "Louisiana." "Ah," she said. "I knew a man from Louisiana. Creole, just like you. He used to get in fights all the time." Hester asked, "Why?" "Folks kept telling him he wasn't Black. You ever have that problem, Mr. Vachon?" "Occasionally, and I find it is always a pleasure to meet someone from the Race Inclusion Board. After all, where would the race be without them telling us who may be in the race and who may not?" Everyone chuckled. Jenine asked, "So you consider yourself a member of the race?" It was an odd question, Hester
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This is a really interesting exchange, hits close to home if I'm bein honest. This very thing is still happening today.
Hester had never condoned the attitudes of those who took it upon themselves to declare one segment of the race superior to another. It was a divisive and destructive practice, especially in light of all they had to face.
Hester had no idea what he was about and so she hesitated. Undaunted, he gently raised her hand, then holding her gaze captive, very slowly removed the glove. He nodded to her other hand. She held it out and he repeated the move, saying softly, "You don't need the gloves when we're alone."
I wish the sleeping scene hadn't happened so I could enjoy these moments more
"Foster will be pleased." "I find your acceptance of Frederick's marriage quite admirable."
He's still a creep but this using the wrong name for that twerp is cracking me up now
And no more entering my room while I'm sleeping."
For real!
"No. Maybe the women of your circle enjoy open-ended games, but I don't, because I don't know the rules."
Oh i do adore Hester
"Go and tell Little Reba to pack her bags because she'll be coming to cook for me.
:o but she was in Rebel!
"Either luncheon, or I kiss you right here and now. You don't want to be responsible for making that poor woman fall off her stool do you?"
Sir! You are so manipulative!
"She's so shy she won't even let me—" He
Hit. She won't let you hit. Becuse she was using you? Cuz that's what I been thinking
He headed back to the door, explaining, "I'm supposed to leave before you open it."
Poor Renaud lol
Your wishes are mine to make true. He'd signed it with an elaborate letter G, and below it had placed his familiar dragon seal.
God damn you Galen!
"I can't give my word when there's a good chance I may not keep
I hate that he is constantly overriding her "No". She is her own person, sir!
She crossed to her wardrobe, shucked on a muslin wrapper, then firmly tied closed the fat beige ribbons that ran from prim high collar to her waist. When she turned back, Galen's face held a decidedly disappointed look. "I take it this is ugly enough for you?" "More than enough."
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hester sat up and blinked. "Galen, I'm not marrying you!" "Yes," he said, "you probably are." "No, I'm not." "Do you want your treat or not?" "I'm not marrying you. Why would you want to marry me?" "It certainly won't be for your obedience, ma coeur. Now lie back."
Their little moments are so adorable
Shoe snarled, "If we were in the South—" "But we're not in the South," Hester interrupted coldly. "You're in the North where cold weather makes free Blacks insane. Isn't that what you were taught? Shall I demonstrate just how crazy I am?" she tossed out bitterly.
Hell yeah, we see you girl!
He walked further into the room. Without a word, he opened his arms wide. In silent answer, she slipped from the bed and ran to him, letting him encircle her with his strength, letting him hold her tight, so tightly she hoped he would never let go. Galen held her for a long time, savoring her, sheltering her. When he could bear to ease her away, he gently lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the rocker. He sat with her atop his lap. Moonlight and the night breeze streamed over them through the open window. Cradled against his chest, Hester felt safe for the first time in a long
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This entire section is superb. Jenkins wrote from the heart here and you can tell
His words were plain, his eyes truthful. "We have a problem here, petite. It's fairly certain I'm in love with you."
Curse you Galen!
But Galen, who in his life had never turned away a willing female, wanted her decision to be made with a clear head.
"Does this man own you, Mary?" The woman nodded her head. Hester looked to the man. "Do you own them, sir?" "Yes." Hester told Mary, "By the laws of the state of Michigan you became free the moment you arrived. If you want to be free, the choice is yours." The owner interrupted. "She knows all about the law, she doesn't want to be free. Look at her, you can see by her clothing that I treat her well, why would she want to be a destitute and penniless fugitive?" He came over and stood before Mary and implored her in an emotion-filled voice, "Think of what you're throwing away. How are you going
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Jenkins is always catching me with this tragic shit out of nowhere
Galen wondered if he was dreaming, or if this were simply a delusion brought on by all the cognac he consumed this evening in an effort to drown his need for her.
Oooo he bout to dick her DOWN off that Henny
He took her hand and led her through a door which connected Galen's bedroom to a smaller adjoining room. It was a beautifully furnished sitting room, but the furniture lay hidden beneath mounds and mounds of some unknown female's clothing. Hester wondered if it all belonged to his aunt Racine. There were cloaks, day dresses and ball gowns, traveling suits and handbags. One corner of the room held nothing but shoes, all in a multitude of shades and styles. Hat boxes were stacked against a wall in a column high as her head. There was not a space in the room unused. Every inch was crammed with
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this is Drake behavior
"Galen these are far too costly for a woman like me."
I know he is trying to show her how much he values her but i would be overwhelmed too. Far too extravagant and wasteful
Hester paid no attention to his malevolent eyes as she made her exit from the room.
He's the snitch, isn't he? Cuz where did he get money to buy the land?
He made a mad dash at her and she very calmly shot him. Foster fell to the ground rolling in pain and holding his injured arm.
I should feel bad for him, but I don't
