The Forbidden

Chapter 3: And So We Meet Again

Elizabeth let Noah be for about three months. They each lived their lives: he continued working hard on the plantation with the other slaves, and she learned to sew, played the piano, learned languages, and all the other boring things that made her feel unfulfilled. She felt like something was missing from her life, and she knew exactly what it was, or rather, who. Noah.

In his little shack, Noah felt restless. He was tossing and turning all night. Even his mother noticed his turmoil.

“What’s wrong, son?” she demanded one day. “You’re always so cheerful and playful, but lately you look so sad.”

With a sigh, he answered, “Nothing, ma.”

She was not convinced. “Tell me, man.” He heard her Jamaican accent come out and knew he had to say something. She would not let this go.

“I miss papa, ma.” He felt a pang of hurt tighten his chest. While this was not the truth, it still evoked all sorts of feelings inside him. Besides, it was close enough. “You know my birthday is coming up, and he always made it special: bringing me something from the outside.”

His father was one of the Whitmores’ trusted slaves. He was allowed to go outside with the houseslaves to shop for the mansion. He was also very handy, and was called to fix things up there. About 5 years ago, he left for the market and did not return. All of them disappeared, and we were told he was most likely dead.

He always brought Noah a gift from the market for his birthday.

His mother sighed and hugged him. “Don’t worry yourself me boy,” she cooed while rubbing his back, “everything ago alright.”

****

The weeks dragged on and he did not feel better. The next day it was his birthday, or rather, their birthday. He missed Lizzie, he wanted to see her. Throughout the day, he purposely caught her stare and he even smiled at one point. He hoped they would continue their birthday tradition.

That night, he waited for her by the magnolia tree, silently praying she got his subtle message. Over the years, she would have a grand birthday party with her other rich white friends, while he would celebrate in his shack quietly with his parents. After everyone was asleep, they would sneak out to the magnolia tree to see each other, and she always brought him chocolate cake and milk. They would lay down and talk all night, and make wishes together.

After waiting for about 20 minutes, she did not show. Trying not to feel dejected, he sadly got up to leave.

“Leaving already, Noah?” He snapped quickly around at the sound of her voice. Against his better judgement, he smiled.

“I thought you wouldn’t come.” The smile slipped from his face, and his heart started beating so fast it could deafen him.

“I didn’t know if you wanted me to,” she replied curtly, coldly. “You’ve been ignoring me for 4 months, Noah.”

He grimaced at her tone. She continued, not meeting his gaze, “You have barely even looked at me, even though I said I was sorry.”

He heard her voice breaking, and he felt his own heart break. He never wanted to hurt her.

“Lizzie,” he started. “I didn’t –”

“Don’t you dare call me Lizzie,” she cut him off. “I am Miss Elizabeth to you,” she started crying, “that’s what you wanted, right?” Noah did not answer. He had nothing to say.

“Why are you doing this?” she demanded.

Noah stood rigid, his expression unreadable. “It’s our birthday. I wanted to say happy birthday.”

“Happy birthday?!” she shouted. “After all this time, you come and you say ‘happy birthday’ like nothing happened. There, you’ve said it, now what? Hmm? Good night Noah, I hope you had a good day.” She turned to leave.

“Lizzie, please, I missed –” Noah started to say, but stopped himself. He whispered “good night” under his breath as he started leaving.

You keep running from me,” she said, her voice tight with frustration. “Why?”

“You know why.”

“No, I don’t! Tell me, Noah. Tell me why you hate me now!”

At that, something in him snapped.

“I don’t hate you,” he said, voice low and rough. “I hate what you do to me. I hate that I can’t look at you without risking my life. I hate that I have to pretend you don’t exist. And I hate that you don’t understand why.”

Elizabeth felt her breath hitch.

She stepped forward. He stepped back.

She shook her head. “You’re lying.”

He let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Am I?”

And then she did something she hadn’t meant to do.

She reached for him.

Her fingers brushed his wrist—just barely, just enough to feel the warmth of his skin.

Noah flinched. “Lizzie please don’t—”

“Tell me you feel nothing,” she whispered. “Look me in the eye and tell me that all these years meant nothing to you.”

He didn’t answer.

Because he couldn’t.

Instead, he exhaled sharply, his hands clenching at his sides. And then, before she could say another word, he grabbed her—fast, desperate.

And he kissed her.

It was not soft. It was not gentle. It was years of longing and years of fear, colliding in a moment that should never have been. He kissed her like his life depended on it, like it was the last time he could ever kiss her. She dropped the foil-wrapped chocolate cake in her hand, grabbed his face, and kissed him back.

She had read books about this. She had dreamed of this moment. She slowly used her tongue to coax his mouth open, and he groaned. She did not stop. She used her tongue to gently caress his, and he grabbed the sides of her waist. His touch sent a bolt of electricity right through her, and she moaned into his mouth.

Their kiss became hot, passionate, angry. She tasted the stew he had for dinner, and he tasted a wisp of chocolate cake on her tongue. They kissed until they were both hot, and out of breath. When they pulled apart, he stared at her, breathing hard, his eyes filled with something that looked like regret. She, also breathing hard, looked at him with awe in her eyes.

“We can’t –,” he began. She grabbed his face, and kissed him. This one was light and fluffy. It felt like she was permitting him. She kissed him softly, and gently. He hesitated before he kissed her back, but when he did, his heart fluttered with a feeling he couldn’t quite describe. Fearful, he pulled away and looked at her.

“Oh Lizzie, what have we done?”

He turned, and ran back to his shack. She stood there, speechless, confused, and shocked, but above all, she felt happy. Dazed, she touched her hand to her lips, and sighed contentedly.

Back in his shack, heart beating wildly, he touched his hand to his lips, and smiled.