“He’s someone we hoped to get way from.” Gamilla answered.
The man rose to his feet and waved to his companions—a group of six, large, muscled African men. They, too, stood—in unison and stood in front of Marjani, Gamilla and Columbia.
Odo’s eyes widened.
“What you want, little man?” The leader of the group bellowed at Odo.
“I got business wit’ these women.” Odo answered, clearly shaken.
The large man looked over his shoulder. “He got business wit’ you, Miss?” He asked Gamilla.
“No.” Gamilla replied firmly.
“Lady says ‘no.’” The man growled.
Odo took a deep breath and puffed out his chest. “This don’t concern you, Friend.”
“My name’s Pete,” The man smiled, “and I think it do. What’s more, I ain’t your friend. These are my friends.” He pointed to the men on either side of him who formed a wall in front of Marjani, Columbia and Gamilla. “And, my friends think this concerns me, too.”
“Jus’ let me by,” Odo whimpered.
“Should we let him pass, boys?” Pete grinned.
“Nah,” his friends answered in unison.
“Dey say ‘no’ and the ladies say ‘no.’ So, I’m guessin’ that the answer is ‘no.’”
“I got a message for ‘em from an important lady.” Odo trembled.
“That so?” Pete asked.
“From Marie Laveau.” Odo continued.
Marjani began to shake. Pete could sense her discomfort.
“You wanna tell me what it is?” Pete asked. “I’ll tell the ladies.”
“I don’t wanna talk to you.” Odo replied.
“You’re gonna.” Pete laughed.
“Jus’ let me pass,” Odo pleaded.
“Go on and try.” Pete smirked.
Odo rushed forward. With one hand, Pete stopped him by wrapping his giant fingers around Odo’s little face, knocking him backward.
Odo squealed.
“Wanna try ‘gain?” Pete guffawed.
Odo scampered out of the large cabin and into the ship’s corridor, breathing heavily as he raced to the stairs.
“Thank you, Pete.” Marjani replied.
“You’re a nice man,” Columbia smiled, wrapping her little arms around Pete’s legs.
“Aw.” Pete stuttered. “Ain’t she a nice little thing?” He smiled at Marjani and Columbia. “What you two nice ladies wanna go get wrapped up wit’ a woman like Marie Laveau for?”
“She got a quarrel with the men we work for.” Gamilla replied.
“That ain’t good.” Pete said. “Is it, boys?”
His friends shook their heads.
“If Odo—that’s his name,” Marjani began, “is here, that means them others is, too. I got a feelin’ our folk is in trouble.”
“You like these folk?” Pete asked.
“Very much.” Marjani nodded. “Best white folk I ever met.”
“For true,” Gamilla agreed.
“Uncle Punch?” Columbia chirped. “Is that man gonna hurt Uncle Punch?”
“You call a white man, ‘Uncle?’” Pete tilted his head at Columbia.
“Sure.” Columbia nodded. “He’s a nice man and plays games with me. He got a dog and a puppet and he sings me songs.”
“Dat true?” Pete asked.
“It is.” Marjani nodded.
“A white man takes time to play with this girl and treat her nice?”
“Yes.” Marjani smiled. “He’s a very generous man. A nobleman from England, but kind and gentle and sweet. They all are. There’s a doctor. He’s a fine man. And, the doctor’s brother and brother’s wife. She treats us like we’re equal. They got babies. Two of ‘em. And there’s two servant men—white men, one from England, one from Italy. All good souls.”
“Gerard—he’s the doctor’s man. He’s…” Gamilla started.
“You like this fella special?” Pete winked.
“Maybe.” Gamilla looked at her shoes.
“Well, then,” Pete nodded. “We can’t let no bad folk bother your friends. Can we, boys?”
Pete’s comrades shook their heads.
“You gonna help us?” Columbia asked.
“We sure are, little woman.” Pete grinned. “We sure are.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-456? If so, you can read them here.
2 comments:
Once again, I find myself holding my breath while I read the dialogue. Hurrah for good guys of the world no matter what their station, nationality or beliefs.
They are hard to come by, good guys.
Post a Comment