Gamilla knocked gently on the rear door of the Cages’ house. Zettie answered, wiping her hands on her apron before she opened the door.
“Zettie,” Gamilla smiled. “I hear ya got sickness in the house. I brought ya some of Meridian’s nice broth.” She held up ceramic tureen. “And, I got some fine cornbread I done made myself.” She nodded to the basket which hung from the crook of her arm.
“That’s fine of ya.” Zettie nodded. “But, we got more than sickness here. You know—your master, he done hit an officer and then ran off with the baby!”
“No.” Gamilla shook her head, trying to look as if the information was new to her.
“He’s a loon, ain’t he?”
“No, not really.” Gamilla smiled. “He’s a right nice man. It’s just he gets all kinds of excited. He loves his family. You know that baby ain’t really Mr. Cage’s. Don’t ya?”
“I know.” Zettie nodded sadly. “He’s a nice baby though.”
“Sure is.”
“Still shouldn’t ‘a’ hit that man like that, your master.” Zettie shrugged.
“What ya gonna do with these folk?” Gamilla replied, realizing that she’d gotten into Zettie’s confidence and becoming more comfortable.
“I don’t know, Girl.” Zettie laughed. “I jus’ hope dem babies get to stay wit’ the folk who’s gonna love ‘em best. Frankly, I don’t think Mr. Cage is a good daddy. You seen their boy, Orman? He’s a devil.”
“True.” Gamilla smiled. “Hold on, did you say there’s more than one baby?”
“Sure.” Zettie said. “I done saw Mr. Cage upstairs with two of ‘em. One was bigger—a boy.”
“Well, where’d he get that one?”
“Who knows?” Zettie shrugged.
“You know—Missus Adrienne’s baby done went missin’.” Gamilla probed further.
“Now you say it,” Zettie frowned. “The boy did look like the chil’ I seen with your lady.”
“Where is he now?” Gamilla asked.
“Miss Ulrika tol’ me she wanted to watch him. I…” Zettie paused.
“What is it?”
“Well, I done saw Mill Ulrika fightin’ with that Barbara Allen. I didn’t think ‘bout the baby, then. But, what she do wit’ him?”
“You think he’s still here?” Gamilla asked.
“Dunno.” Zettie sniffed.
“Can we look?” Gamilla wondered.
“Oh, no. I can’t, Gamilla. You know I can’t. Mr. Cage—he’ll kill me if I let you go up there.”
“I ain’t gonna take him. I jus’ wanna make sure he’s safe.”
“No,” Zettie shook her head. “I’m sorry, but…”
“Well, can you go look, at least? I’ll stay right here. I swear it.” Gamilla chose her words carefully.
Zettie snorted. “You gonna stay right here? You ain’t gonna go in the front? You know Mr. Cage has got Marjani and your master’s doctor friend in there.”
“I swear I’ll stay right here.” Gamilla promised.
“Fine,” Zettie scowled. “I’ll go look. But, if you get me in trouble…”
“I ain’t gonna go nowhere else in this house. If you want, Odo can watch me an’ everythin’.”
“Odo ain’t here.” Zettie replied, walking to the back stairs. “Who knows where he’s gone? You wait here, understand?”
“I promise.”
Zettie looked suspiciously over her shoulder as she climbed the stairs.
As soon as Gamilla was certain Zettie was out of ear-shot, she rushed to the back door and let Gerry in.
“The Doctor in Marjani are in the front hall.” Gamilla whispered. “Go on in there, and help ‘em. I’ll see what’s become of Miss Ulrika and master Fuller.”
“You’re a sweetie,” Gerard winked.
“Shut your mouth and go on.” Gamilla scowled as she shoved Gerry toward the hallway door.
Did you miss Chapters 1-395? If so, you can read them here.
