Agatha,Please! (A work in progress)

Chapter 3

Days later Agatha asleep in her bed awoke to Chrissy quietly crawling under the blankets of Agathas four post bed. Agatha smiled and thought about what a good friend she had. Chrissy, Old Sallys Granddaughter had been Agatha’s companion since she was a little girl she was more like a sister to her than a companion. Chrissy’s mother died in childbirth only days before her own mother had passed away from the same results- Birthing her. Agatha cringed at the thought of her being responsible for her Mothers death. Even though her Father had told her many times it wasn’t her fault she still felt a little twinge of guilt.

“What time is it?” Agatha whispered to chrissy to distract herself from her thoughts.

“Agatha, I’m sorry did I wake you?” Chrissy whispered back scooting closer to her.

“Yes, but it is alright I was having trouble sleeping anyway.” Agatha rolled over to face Chrissy. She struggled to see her face in the night shadows.

“Worried about super tomorrow?”

“Yes I don’t want to this, Mr.Hall to be rude to any of you.”

“Agatha it’s alright, we are use to this kind of treatment.”

“I wish you weren't a slave.” Agatha said.

“But I am a slave, nothing is going to change that.” Chrissy said matter of factly. “Lets not talk about it.”

Agatha sighed.

“Now, do you think this William will be there for supper as well.” Chrissy asked Agatha a grin in her voice.

“Oh, you!” Agatha smiled. “Go back to bed!”

“It’s 11 o’clock by the way.” Chrissy laughed out.

“You’re late coming to bed tonight.”

“They needed help down at the shacks tonight.”

“Doing what?” Agatha asked.

“One of the field hands went into labor.” Chrissy answered. “They needed an extra pair of hands to help with the babe.”

“Why did they ask for you?” Agatha asked since Chrissy usually didn’t go to the shacks.

“The Lady that usually assists in the births is sick and didn’t want to to get the mother or babe sick. I….I’ve” Chrissy hesitated.

“What is it?”

“I have been helping with births for a few months Now Agatha”

Agatha gasped. “Why didn't you tell me?”

“I...I talked to your Father about it and he said that it was alright but...I thought you wouldn’t agree since you sometimes feel guilty about your Mothers death.” Chrissy said taking Agathas hand in hers knowing her concerns.

Unlike Agatha Chrissy knew it wasn’t her fault, They had had a new Overseer that year and he had beat Chrissys mother for not being able to bend down and pick slugs off the cotton. Chrissys Mother soon after she was beaten went into labor. She was barely able to birth Chrissy. Abel Edsall was away that day and when he returned and had found out what happened he fired the Overseer and kicked him off his land with no pay. It wasn’t long after that that Abel asked Old Sally to come to the house with Chrissy and be a house slave.