"Ruin and Redemption"

Not All Fun and Games

A month had passed, and Derrick had still not broken the news to Lizzie; He owed her piano, three of their remaining horses, and Calpurnia to the men. He had refrained from betting any of his and Lizzie's mutual slaves, knowing how upset this would make Lizzie.

Every day, he would wait on the porch, wondering when the men would show up. So far he had managed to convince Lizzie that he was watching the patterns of the birds in the field, or at least she had half-believed him, even offering her father's binoculars, her most reasured keepsake of his. She likely thought he had taken off the hobby to help him forget Suzanne, who still troubled his mind from time to time.

He felt a dismal sense of expectancy. They would come eventually; There was no doubt about that. The question was simply when. At night, he would go to give the horses their oats and stroke their noses. It was another chance to spend a bit more time with them and to say goodbye.

Lincoln was elected, and soon a rider came with news for them. South Carolina was once again an independent state; It had withdrawn itself from the Union. Derrick was thankful to get the news, and Lizzie was crestfallen. Mr. Lincoln was no longer her President!

It was a few days later that the men came, congratulating him on being part of South Carolina, the bold state, the first to seceded! They talked of other slave holding states that might follow South Carolina’s lead, as they dismantled the piano.

Derrick wrung his hands in frustration. There had to be some way to stop these men! Lizzie loved playing this instrument! He had to save it somehow!

Lizzie was out riding today. He had not been able to stop her completely once she had started up the habit again after Nathan’s departure to parts unknown at the time. Maybe he could think of something before she got back? The horse she was riding now was part of the deal, and he hated to think of her walking into an empty living room, and then losing her horse when she looked back at the yard. What was he going to do?

He went to the safe and started rustling the contents. There was nothing there but the deed to the land, and about 50 gold coins. It wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough. The piano was worth 80 at least. But then he found himself unwilling to relinquish Calpurnia. Certainly it made him uncomfortable to be around her now, and his parents had threatened to sell her anyway, or put her out on the plantation, but still.

“Umm, I was wondering if you would accept these 50 gold coins in payment for Calpurnia. She isn’t quite as hale and hearty as I made her out to be. She’s getting older, and it shows. I think it would save you the trouble of transporting her.”

“I won her fairly. You signed, Derrick.” Mr. Rowan was reminding him.

“I know I did. She was a good cook, like I said. But she’s an old woman. She can’t do anyone any good anymore. All she does is hang around the house, maybe dust, and cooks simple meals. She can’t really see anymore to make much.”

“Hmmm. Well, we could take another slave instead. We were betting with 60 gold coins that time, Derrick. I can’t accept just 50. And you offered a slave. That’s what I won.”

Just then, Patsy, who had taken a few hours on the plantation this Sunday to spend with her daughters, came into the room.

She looked at them all, wearing their muddy boots, coats and hats in the house, and noticed as well, the disassembled piano lying in boxes on the floor. She gave Derrick a questioning and disapproving glance. What were these men doing here in hers and Lizzie’s house?

One of the men pointed to her, and she felt a growing trepidation. She turned to remove herself from their presence and felt a strong arm grasp her wrist. A fear Patsy had never felt before went through her in an instant and would not let go as long as the man held her.