Chapter 2
773 Words
•ENSLEY•
As they walk me off the boat they separate us and start to check us.
"Don't you lay a hand on ha". My mother said sternly to the white man.
Laughing he walks over and stands in front of her before hitting her.
"MAMA". I yell and as I get ready to go and help her the lady beside me grabs my arm and shakes her head.
" Don't child". She said sternly looking down at me.
Nodding I stood there and watched him drag my mother off somewhere.
"Let's go and line up". A man said and we all followed him to a stage and stood on it.
Grabbing ahold of the lady's hand I look around at all the people.
As they were talking I was looking at this boy as he looked at me.
After a while of looking at each other he looks away.
"Go on now child". The lady said pointing towards the white man.
Walking over to him he grabs me off of the stage and stands me to the side.
I see a man and the boy I was looking at walk over.
"Come on here girl".The man said grabbing my arm tightly but I held on to the lady beside me.
"Please come". The boy said with pleading eyes but I shook my head no.
Watching the man he draws his hand back to hit me but the boy jumps in front of me.
"You gone embarrass me by protecting this n****r". He said drawing attention our way.
"She's just scared pa". He said shaking because he was scared I guess.
"I'll handle you when we get home". He said before pushing the boy out of the way and grabbing me as I kicked and screamed.
He started to walk away but the boy wasn't following.
"LET'S GO BOY". The man yelled and he ran over following behind him.
Tossing me in the wagon he gets on and The boy follows.
"Hey". He said waving at me but I back away from him afraid to get hit.
"What did I tell you about talking to them". The man said causing him to turn around away from me.
Sitting back quietly I watch as the trees go by until we come to a stop and I see other folk like me standing there.
"Come on child". A man said leading me towards the field.
I thought we were going to start working but the more we walked little houses appeared and there were a lot of people standing around.
"Welcome child my name is Mildred where's your mother". An old lady said walking up to me with a smile.
"Don't know one of those massa's took her". I said looking up at her.
"Why don't you come and live with me and grandson Jimmy". She said grabbing my hand leading me to this house.
"Boy come out hea". She said once we were inside.
Sitting down at the table I look around until I see someone coming from the back.
"Yes ma'am".The older boy said looking from the lady to me.
"This hea is, what's ya name child". She asked looking over at me.
"Ensley". I said softly.
"This heas Ensley and she's gone be staying with us from now on". She said and he nodded walking over.
"The names Jimmy". He said holding his hand out.
Hesitantly I reach out and shake his hand.
"It's time to hit the fields now I want you to take her and keep an eye on her ya hea".She said and he nodded.
"Go on now". She said handing me a bag.
Standing up I follow jimmy outside and to the field.
"This is where we gone be working today". He said before he started picking.
"Get to work na for the massa see you". He said looking over at me.
"I don't know how to". I said and he stopped working and looked over at me.
"What's the problem here why ain't she working". A man on a horse said looking down at me.
"She ain't worked in a field befo massa but I'll teach ha". Jimmy said looking down at the ground.
"Hurry up". He said before riding away.
"Ensley get over here so I can show ya". He said and I stopped watching the man and looked down at him.
"You grab the stem and pull it like this don't have to many leaves in it or massa will be mad". He said showing me.
"You got it". He asked and I nodded my head.
"Alright na gone start". He said before going back to his spot.
I wonder where my mama is...
- Writer
