Slave Girl Read Online Free Page B

keeps the sores from festerin’. It almost made me sick when I saw
Spicy’s back. It wasn’t the new cuts, but the old scars. She done been beat many, many times before – and hard, too. Now, I see why Spicy is so deep down hurt – been beat on
so much. I aine never come under the lash like that, and I don’t want to either. Miz Lilly beat Spicy bad just for breakin’ a vase. What would she do to me if she knew I could read and
write? The idea makes me tremble.
    Sunday – after last meal
    I almost died of fear when Spicy spilled gravy on a guest’s dress, broke a plate and chipped a cup while servin’ dinner. I thought Miz Lilly was goin’ to kill
her. Miz Lilly promised her guests: “She’s goin’ straight to the tobacco fields tomorrow.” I saw Spicy smile. She wanted to get sent to the fields – to get away from
bein’ ’round Mas’ Henley and Miz Lilly. That was a silly way to go ’bout it, and I told her so, later on. Anyway, Spicy’s plan didn’t work. ’Cause just to
spite his wife, Mas’ Henley took sides with Spicy. Say all Spicy needs is to be trained.
    “Why do you care what happens to me?” Spicy asked me later.
    “I saw your back and I wouldn’t want that to happen to you again – not to nobody! And I like you—” Spicy looked real surprised – like nobody had ever said
that to her before.
    So for now, Spicy stays with us in the kitchen. And I’m glad. I think she might be, too.

First Sunday in May
    Cooked and served three meals. Two house guests. Toted waters for baths. Helped with the clean up. I am so tired. No spirit to write. I’ve still got to wash out my dress,
so I’ll start the week clean.
    Monday night
    Aunt Tee sent me down to the Quarters to take a ointment to Aggie. Spicy went ’long. Wook tries to be nice. But for some reason, Missy done took a dislikin’ to
Spicy. That Missy is really changin’. I showed her Little Bit, and she laughed at me ’bout still playin’ with dolls. Later, Spicy told me not to worry ’bout what Missy say.
“People teases you sometimes ’cause they know it’ll make you mad.”
    I asked her why she let Hince’s teasin’ make her so mad then?
    “I hate my name,” she say. “Spicy! Whoever heared of such a silly name? My mama was all set to call me Rose. But our ol’ mistress say no, and named me Spicy. Mama had to
do it – couldn’t say nothin’ ’bout it.”
    The more I learn ’bout Spicy the more I like her, but the more I hurt deep down for her, too.
    Day later
    Hince hardly ever comes to the kitchen since he and Spicy had that bad fallin’ out. So, I been goin’ to the stables whenever I get a chance. “Is Spicy mean to
you?” Hince asked me.
    “Not at all.” I told him Spicy is just totin’ a lot of hurt from the way she been treated. He nodded a understandin’. I really do like her a lot. I think she might be my
friend. I wrote F-R-I-E-N-D-S. This time I seen Hince, Wook and now Spicy. Missy aine even now in the picture.
    Wednesday
    Hince and Mas’ Henley been goin’ to horse races most every week. They rode off last night, on the way to Southampton. Hince is a mighty fine jockey – wins a
heap of money for Mas’ Henley.
    Wednesday evenin’
    I can smell the word K-I-T-C-H-E-N and see it, too. It always smells good – herbs hangin’ from the eaves, dryin’. Hickory chips slow-burnin’ on the back
fire. A pot bubblin’ or boilin’. Aunt Tee loves her big, four-hip fireplace where four grown women can stand side by side and cook together. She’s truly the mistress of
Belmont’s kitchen.
    Miz Lilly was in the kitchen today chatterin’ on ’bout what she wanted fixed for a special dinner. Aunt Tee just say, “Yes, Miz Lilly,” but in the end, Aunt Tee cooked
what she always fixes on Wednesday.
    I had to tell Spicy how Aunt Tee and Mas’ Henley get along. Mas’ Henley be real particular ’bout what goes in his mouth. He don’t trust nobody but Aunt Tee to fix his
food. I once