Saraphine

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

July 4th 1840

One year. One year had passed since that night Saraphine had been reduced to tears over a dress. She was amazed at the difference that year had made.

Though Saraphine was only eleven, she was no longer a child.

She had thoroughly learned her place, and while not happy with it, she forced herself to accept it. Head down, work hard, and mind the rules.

It was early morning but already the heat was nearly unbearable. Saraphine knew her day would be sweltering as she worked in the kitchens, preparing the feast for tonight.

Saraphine sighed. At least her evening would be easy. Missus had told her she could have it off because she had been working so hard and remembering her place lately—Saraphine honestly thought it was probably because Missus didn't want to risk Saraphine being around the guests and losing her temper.

Saraphine stepped out the back kitchen doors on her way to get potatoes from the cellar. The sound of wagon wheels reached her ears and Saraphine frowned. It was too early for guests.

Stepping around the house, Saraphine walked past a row of hedges and gasped.

Daniel!

He was one year older, had grown a foot and was dressed quite fancily with his dark hair slicked back but Saraphine would recognize her friend anywhere.

She stood there unable to wipe the happy smile from her face as he walked toward her. Their eyes met and then, without a single word, Daniel looked away and walked past, disappearing into the plantation house as the wagon pulled away.

Disappointment and pain lodged themselves in Saraphine's heart. She remembered her mama's words of warning so long ago. Daniel didn't care. Colored people meant nothing to whites. Her best friend was not truly her friend at all.

Saraphine had no friends—not a soul to confide in. Her pain and her frustrations remained forever locked inside. The rules made it nearly impossible to form friendships and the fear made it harder. How could Saraphine form a friendship with a fellow slave when the next auction could rip them apart?

Hardening her heart and swallowing her disappointment, Saraphine went back to gathering the potatoes. Missus would not tolerate a late meal.

***

That evening, after darkness had fallen, Saraphine once again found herself out back, just over the rise, sitting against the old oak tree.

The moonlight fell softly against the long grass and music from the party below floated up to her hiding place. Saraphine could see the glow of the party lights and thought of how beautiful it all must be.

Despite the lessons Saraphine had learned in the last year, she still found herself longing to slip on a silk dress and twirl beneath the tents in candlelight. Closing her eyes, Saraphine found herself humming her mama's tune.

"That's real pretty, Saraphine."

Saraphine stopped humming as her eyes flew open. Daniel stood before her with two plates of food from the party in his hands. His slicked back hair had been mussed and was once again wild atop his head. He had lost his velvet jacket and vest and untucked his white shirt so it hung nearly to his knees.