As Plain As Black And White

13

When the next day came, it was a gloomy day. I wasted no time and went to the church for school. When I got there I saw nothing but a black building that was ready to fall into ashes at any minute. On the floor was a Burnt cross and the place smelled of death.

Behind the church, 5 still bodies strung up on a tree from their necks. I turned away. 'Don't cry Nasir.'
"Why us?" I whisper to myself . Zuri came around the corner talking and laughing with her friends and then she turned and held her mouth. I ran to her and turned her back around. She sobbed.

"What happened to the school? The church?"

"You know what happened."She drop to her knees.

"But Why?"

"Because like my momma says. We're strong and they're trying to break us down. That's all." I wipe the tears from her face. "Come on." I helped her up and we went back to my bunk. He laid her head on my shoulder.

"Do you think Ms. Lily is still going to teach school?"

"Yes." I lied to her. The real answer was I don't know. I don't know anything. I don't know who was under those hoodies. I don't know why burn the church. I don't know why they hang us. I don't know why we pray to a god that is making us suffer. I just don't know.

Penny came rushing into bunk.
"Zuri. There you are. You guys okay?" Zuri's burst into a fit of tears and she hugged her mother. Penny cried on her daughters shirt.

"I know baby I know." I just put my knees in my chest. I just can't think straight and so many thoughts are rushing in my head at once. My mom came running in the bunk.

"You didn't see did you?" My mother asked. I nodded my head. Zuri and Penny left and it was just my mother and I.

"Momma I must talk to you about what is on my mind."

"Go head then baby."

"Momma I love Sir James." She gasped."he loves me too he says. We had sex and-"

"NASIR!"

"Yesum."

"YOU DID WHAT? WITH WHO? BOY ARE YOU STUPID?"

"But momma I love him."

"He don't love you. You can get murdered for this."

"I'm sorry momma. I've been trying to get rid of the feelings Im feeling but it's so hard." Don't cry Nasir. "And I just found out the rest of us want to poison the family, everyone except Paul. Momma I can't let that happen."

"Boy stop with this nonsense. You don't love him. You hear me? That white boy probably killed them people on that tree. You want to know why? Cause he can. Them whites is responsible." Momma was right. "Let them do that to them. They deserve it. If you say anything to that boy, every slave will kill you. Either way it's gonna be you that pays for it."

"Momma but I love him." Don't cry Nasir.

"NASIR! No you don't! I just got my family back. I will not lose you to no white man. You understand. We will be free, when that family is dead. Now get some sleep so you can go to work."

I lay down and wanted to cry. I have a decision to make. Betray the slaves and tell him or just let him die. My momma is the wisest person I know. I'm not going to tell him. He wants to string my people on the trees, he can definitely suffer. My mind then went on to the image of James chocking and I squeezed my eye lids shut because it hurt so bad watching it in my head.

By the time I had finally calmed down, it was time for work. I slowly made my way to the house. When I finally get to the steps, i take a deep breath in and walk inside. I went to the kitchen and saw everyone hugging Ms. Debby.

I asked Camille what happened. She explained and I hugged Ms. Debby as well. I cried for her. Her husband was among the hung.
"Them white people is gonna pay." She could barely get out through her gritted teeth. The door of the kitchen flew open and It was Sir James.
"Hello. I'm gonna get straight to it. My condolences on any loved ones you lost last night. I know my apologies are nothing of worth but it I just wanted to give a hand if you need anything. I'm not suppose to do this but My father doesn't need to know. Again I am so sorry." He says with his hands in his pockets. "Nasir. A moment please." He nodded his head in the direction. I gulped and followed and let the rest grieve their losses.

"Are you okay?" He looked down at me. 'Don't Cry Nasir' the 5 bodies strung on a tree came rushing to my head.'Don't Cry Nasir'. 'He don't love you... Either way it's gonna be you that pays for it.' My mothers voice played in my head. 'Don't Cry Nasir' I have to Decide should I let him live or die.

"No." I sob in his shirt. He picks me up as if I was a bride and carried me up the stairs as I buried my head in his shirt. I'm just a 16 year old boy. Why do I have to go through such pain? My back hit something soft and I cried on his bed.

"I'm so sorry you have to go through this baby."

"I can't even be with you when I need you. You have Isabella and I can't be her."

"But I don't want her. I want you." Why run from it any longer? I know what I feel for him is real because they won't go away. I know I want to be with him until the die I die. I know he makes me laugh and smile so why deny it any longer.

"I want you too."