"Ruin and Redemption"

Derrick Goes to Get Scarlett

Patsy had the books out and was looking things over already.

Lizzie and Rebecca joined her at the dining room table.

“Well, Lizzie, here is the money for seed." Patsy said, indicating the ledger with a finger. She had on her reading glasses. "And this is the money for your new wardrobe. And this is the money for yours and Derrick’s food. And the food for the slaves is here. And this is miscellaneous, but we need more blankets and a few other things,” Patsy said.

“Oh, there isn’t as much in the miscellaneous pile as I thought, Patsy," Lizzie said disappointed.

“No, it’s just $213.”

“We could take some of the money from my new wardrobe, Patsy. The clothes I have now are fine, aren’t they? I mean, aside from one or two new dresses, how much do I need?” Lizzie asked sincerely.

“Derrick won’t be happy, Lizzie. He wants you to have at least five or six. He agreed eight was too many, but he doesn’t want to cut it back much,” Patsy said, knowing Derrick would find a way to get what he wanted, even if the money wasn't there. 

“I don’t care. What can he do anyway, Patsy? He’s going to be an invalid, even when he gets well. He can’t even get out of bed without our help,” Lizzie said gaily. Her husband's incapacity might finally give her the freedom to run things more to her own liking, to reclaim a measure of her freedom.

“He’s your husband,” Patsy said, wondering why she even bothered to remind Lizzie of Derrick's legal status.

“Do you think he remembers that? Do you know who his latest conquest is, Patsy? Josiah’s wife, Mindy!” Lizzie announced, looking forward to the shocked look on Patsy's face. For once, she had something to share.

“Yes, Lizzie. I figured that out already when Izzie shot him.” Patsy sighed.

“Well, am I compelled to cater to his vanity?” Lizzie asked self-righteously, hoping for agreement.

“Lizzie, he’s doing the best he can. The dresses are for you, not Derrick," Patsy reminded her. It was at times such as these that Patsy most wanted to tell Lizzie the information she and Derrick both held back from Lizzie out of love and concern for her. Derrcik didn't spend as much as he wanted on his own wardrobe, because it was more important to him to protect his wife from any ridicule that would come her way, if people decided not to let her pass for white.

“I know, but can’t we cut out a little? I don’t want you to not have what you need for the workers," Lizzie said, concerned.

“They’re slaves, Lizzie, whether you like to hear it or not. Slaves like me.” Patsy said bitterly. She wasn't going to let Lizzie get away with pretending things weren't as they were. 

“I know, Patsy. That’s why we have to take care of them! Patsy, we can’t take all the money out of the miscellaneous money, we’ve got to take some from elsewhere,” Lizzie said, frustrated. She loved the new clothes, but felt compelled to stand up for the slaves. They were, or should have been, her responsibility anyways.

“Fine, Lizzie! We’ll take forty dollars out of the account for your dresses, and we’ll get the rest from the miscellaneous," Patsy said to placate Lizzie. She would have to slip the money back in to the dress fund from her secret stash. Otherwise, Derrick would be in a tizzie about his friends finding out about Lizzie and disregarding her socially.

“How much do you need, Rebecca?” Patsy asked.

“The forty dollars will be fine, Patsy. Use the money for the slaves.” Rebecca could not bear the thought of profiting while others went hungry in her stead.