Master Gallagher

Called it tit for tat

Quiet and undisturbed, we both seemed to be lost in deep thought. You could hear the drop of a pin, if possible. My hand laid on my now slowly meandering belly, seventeen weeks sounded like a lifetime. Although it had been a while, Lady Tracy's backdoor secrets still had me bewildered. How could anyone possibly be that cruel? Does she even love William? I questioned it every second of the day when my thoughts went wild with curiosity. I would never tell William falsehood to have him tied to me for life. I would want him to love me out of honesty and genuineness. William had grown to love Liam like his own. They even shared a name, it would scar Liam for a lifetime if he came to know about this. I felt for him, he was always such an angel and the kindest there is. No doubt he was still a Gallagher, just not William's. I also found fault not only with Lady Tracy but with Liam's brother. I tried really hard to guess if it was Master Gerald or Master Milton. At most, Master Milton displayed enough spite for William that I would never put it past him. Master Gerald was always to himself... quiet people can be very vile in their serenity. After the actions they had displayed in the presence of their father, I wouldn't put it past both of them. Whoever, happened to be Liam's father... I hoped he wouldn't be disposable towards Liam. Desperate enough, I even tried to think of who conversed more with Liam when no one was looking. That wouldn't be a reasonable prediction. They could both be close to Liam because he happens to be their beloved nephew. After scratching my head for a while, I turned to look at Hector who seemed to be focused on his own unvocalized thoughts. He was never quiet, it was very alarming.

"Hector, are you alright?" I asked.

"Not quite, it isn't something you can help with either." He replied with a huff.

"You won't know until you let slip—"

"Trust me, Panashe; it's quite alright." He shrugged.

"I know people have been talking... I understand if you wish to not continue this friendship." I added. He immediately turned to look at me and roll his eyes. "It's not that, besides.."

"It must be odd for people that a man and a woman can just be friends. I found it odd as well but you do not seem as if you would ever like me in that demeanor."

"I wouldn't, over my dead body!"

I gasped, almost a little offended by how hush that actually sounded. He had said it without a second thought, with so much affirmation. No, I was not hoping he would. It just surprised me how he said it almost immediately, unwaveringly.

"Oh!"

"Not because you're black—" He cleared his throat. "I have absolutely no point of issue with that..."

"Is that what's bothering you?"

"Partly..." he sighed. "My mother and siblings have been asking me when I am to marry. Honestly, it slipped my mind for a while. I suppose for everyone the main intent is marriage. I have never ever went around engrossed in the thought of someday marrying some woman... I suppose there is something wrong with me. Thoughts of such have never been something that entertained me or something that got me excited."

I gave him an assuring smile. "There's nothing wrong with you, people are different. I will not lie, I thought of marriage for as long as I can remember as a kid. Circumstances maybe different but in my situation, I was not getting any sort of education thus I couldn't exactly look forward to being a lawyer, doctor or this and that. My only aim in life was to get married and be a wife. I also give fault to my mother... everything I did or do would always lead to a comment such as 'What will your husband say—' 'Who would want a wife who can not—' and so on."

"I always wanted to be courted, it's sounds like some sort of privilege."

"I suppose, you're quite lucky you don't have to do the courting."

"Don't be such a Debby-downer... is there anyone that interests you maybe? I would be willing to help."

This had Hector laughing before it died out, he turned to look at me. "William isn't so bad."

I immediately came to a halt. My expression was very judgemental, I couldn't hide it. "You should have seen your face, jealousy aren't we?" He chuckled.

Clearing my throat... "Hector, don't go around making jokes of such immorality. Someone else would be quick to label you..." I cleared my throat again. "A faggot."

Hector clenched his jaw. "Alright, ironic coming from you n****r!"

I was hurt, never did I think Hector would willingly call me that. I had found friendship with him and I confided in him so much. It shocked me how he had quickly used my race as a defense mechanism to hurt me. I had not done anything wrong except advise him well.

"Calling someone a faggot is just as filthy as being labeled a nigger."

"Are you implying that you're one?"

He shook his head. "Just as much as I haven't judged you according to your race... I wouldn't judge someone for loving whom they choose to love."

"It's wrong!!!" I immediately said. "Even before the lord."

"Very rich coming from someone who is in the deadliest web of lies. f*****g Jezebel!" He quoted a bible character.

"I do not like fighting with you Hector. I do not appreciate you treating me so harshly either. I thought we were friends."

He crossed his arms and looked aside. "I thought so too."

"You will be charged with sodomy and hung, just so you know... I'm only concerned for your safety."

"Better that way than this miserable life. We were just made for each other, weren't we? You will die eventually for your adultery deeds and so will I, with my immoral deeds. This friendship was meant to be." He said sarcastically.

"Are y-you... are...you...you... are...you... h-hom..." I stuttered, with shock. I couldn't even finish my sentence. Everything suddenly made sense..

"I do not understand why you're making it sound as if I murdered a man..."

"Did you hear about that man from Leicester who was caught being immoral a few years ago. He was charged with buggery and indecent touching, his career derailed, he spent three months in jail before being signed into a lunatic asylum... after that he spent the latter part of it destitute, penniless and struggling with alcoholism. He eventually committed suicide." I added in a pleading voice hoping to somewhat change his mind. "Is that what you want Hector?"

Hector seemed a bit frightened with the little, I had just said. His eyes showed indecisive gestures. This was something I had personally read while cleaning William's office. He had left his paper on the table and I sneaked it into my room so I could read it for later. It was enlightening having to read something other than the Bible.

"Well first off, there is no career to derail. If anything I'd be happy to have this filthy butler position derailed. Secondly, they probably removed him from jail because that would be a dream, being surrounded by only men and not being forced onto women. Thirdly, a lunatic asylum does not seem that bad, I bet they serve better change of food than what I have at home. Fourthly, I hate alcohol... I'd rather do all my immorality while in my right mind with my dignity intact."

There was silence between us.

"You owe it to me. You owe it to not reveal this to anyone. You owe it to our friendship to support me regardless, you owe it to me because I have been nothing but a good friend and I would never forsaken you."

"I don't agree with the life you live."

"You don't have to agree with it, to be a decent none-judgemental human being."

"It's a sin!"

"You're still in shock. It will pass..."

"Have you told anyone else?"

"No, I probably won't ever because you just showed me what type of people. I'm surrounded by." He said bitterly abruptly leaving.

I did not stop him, I was still baffled.

—

Hey guys, sorry for the late update. I can't promise anything. I work from 7am - 8pm so as soon as I get home, I just sleep and I don't have time with my assignments in between. I thought I would update bec today I'm doing a much later shift. Thanks for your patience.

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