Fade To White - Sequel to Fade To Black

The White Man

I sucked my thumb, the little beads of blood spreading on my tongue. While building the house that Clemy had asked for I had gone through cuts, bruises, gashes, and more. I guess it was worth it all seeing the kids and her stand looking at the structure with wide smiles. It was still looking a little sad, having just built the foundation and the support beams. "Here Jack, take a break." Clemy offered, filling a glass full of iced tea. I wiped the dirt off my hands and took a sip, the cold liquid feeling good on my scorched throat.

"It's only been a few days and you're already halfway done. I'm impressed." She said, winking at me. I set my drink down and came up to her, rolling each of her sleeves up.

"It's hot out today, I don't want you fainting!" I said, picking up her fan and fanning her. She began to fuss, giggling.

"Jackson, stop that, I've got two hands, hand it over." She said, plucking the fan from my hands. "Besides, I can handle the heat. It's you i'm worried about. You're skin's getting all burnt under the sun."

"I'll look like a raisin in no time!" I chuckled, raising my eyebrows at her. I headed back to work, picking up my hammer and steadying the nail against the wooden beam. Before I could bring the hammer down Clementine got up and came over to me.

"Can I do that one?" She asked. At first I refused but I gave in, handing her the tools. She grasped the hammer tightly and steadied the nail between her fingers. "So what, do I just hit this nail?"

" You've got to be careful," I warned. "You just hit the nail like so until it's all the way in." I said, showing her how it was done. She brought the hammer back behind her head and smashed the nail in, bending it unrecognizable. I stood there, shocked.

"That ain't supposed to happen huh?" She grinned shyly as if waiting to be scolded. I didn't even know she had that kind of strength in her.

"Maybe we should just leave the hammer and nails to me." I suggested and she laughed, giving in. I got back to work, determined to finish this with her as she gave me the details of her plan. "So, after we get done with this house we'll have enough space to hold at least fifty freed slaves. It will be bustling for sure, but we'll need all the business we can get. Since no town folk come to visit us anymore we won't have to worry about running in with the authorities. A few slaves who can afford a room in the house can live there and for those who are coming empty handed we'll have this boarding house. Think about all those slaves we hear about going through the underground railroad- what if this was like a pit-stop. We would finally be able to have a nice warm meal every night. I can just see how happy the twins would be. Besides, what else can I do around here? I need to be put to work, that's all I've ever known. Jackson, you trust me don't you? I really want you to be invested in this with me." I paused, looking up at her.

"Of course I trust you! I'm just as invested in this as you. You're just as clever as always and you were right about this plantation being done for. We've got to put it too use or i'll be putting my family's name in vain." I frowned. I didn't want to let anyone down anymore, dead or alive. 

"You're not let anyone day jack! I promise!

Later that night before we got into bed I laid down while Clementine rubbed aloe vera leaves on my red, peeling skin. She told me it would heal it fast and it relieve the burning right away. Feeling Clementine's soft touch on my back was relaxing and I turned over on my back to look at her.  

"Thanks Clemy." I smiled and she cradled my head, leaning down to kiss me.  

"You're just working so hard, its the least I can do! I'm just happy the children are preoccupied and not gettin in to trouble."  

"what are you talking about? if they're our kids of course they''ll be trouble!" We laughed at the thought. It was true that they always found a way to get themselves into something, especially if they were around Jackson Johnson.