Thomas rode onto his new property around mid day on a cold January day. His future plans were thrown into turmoil and his last chance at any future. His new home and business was also a new start for him as well. Thomas was now free of his father's rule, and had talked him into handing over some of the families land to him. Thomas liked to think it was his father's goodwill, but deep down he knew it was his blackmail of family secrets that pried the land from him.
A two story farm house built some fifty years prior to his birth. Resting on 300 acres, the farm itself only took up 20 acres. The rest was subdivided out to sharecroppers. The prior occupant was only managing it for Thomas's father. Originally ran by his uncle, Thomas now stood as the sole owner of this working farm. The weight of the task was only lifted by the fact the sharecroppers pulled in most of the farm's profits.
When Thomas walked up to the front porch, the front door opened and a colored woman stepped out. She looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties. She wore a head scarf, but could see the long black hair in neat tight braids pulled back. Her dress was white and stained with use. Although her size was not overweight she did not look small. Her large breasts were noticeably not pushed up, and were barely held back.
She smiled and walked up to Thomas to grab his saddlebag from his horse. "You must be Mista Childs. I's Susana Grist, buts people just call me Sue. I be Clayton's wife, we be on the back field from here"
Thomas bowed his head and replied back. "Nice to meet you Sue, you can call me Thomas."
Sue grabbed the bag from Thomas's hands and followed him into the house. When then both entered, she softly questioned him. "Mista Johns had me as house help to offset my bills. Will you be wanting to keep me on as help?"
Thomas looked at her in the eyes and smiled back. "That would be great for now, but I may not need you as much in the future."
"Well, I can be a great help in whatever you need. I be close by too. My house be on the back field." Sue smiled and bowed to him as she spoke.
The rest of the day was Sue showing Thomas the house and the grounds. Thomas felt that she was fighting for her job even though her family was farming one of his back fields. Thomas smiled politely and said thank you every chance offered to him. Each time she would stare in disbelief when he did.
Since it was winter and much of the farm was simple maintenance, Thomas was able to maintain the ledgers and receipt books left to him. Even though he skipped college; Thomas as a quick study, and was more concerned about how to run a farm then keeping up with the sharecroppers.
It was more than a week since Thomas first arrived in his new Georgia farm. He was far removed from his father who had all but disowned him. Thomas knew what he needed to do to make a life for himself and was ready to start once spring came around. The money he brought with him would be used for sharecropper loans. This in turn would be an added profit once the final harvest was sold and loans repaid.
Thomas was thankful to have Sue around, but after a few days there was little for her to do. Against his better financial judgment he decided he would keep her on until the spring. The money he brought with him could afford to pay her, and Thomas knew he needed the company. Even though her work load around the house was considered light, her companionship for a few hours a day was needed. Their pleasant conversations always lifted the drab cold afternoons.
Although she was at least ten years older than him, Sue was quite attractive. She was almost the same height as him, with a medium frame. Although her dress covered almost all of her curves it was clear she was well endowed. Her hair was braided and almost always covered or put up hiding its true length. Thomas once looked at her exposed cleavage to him as she was bent cleaning. When it happened, they exchanged glances. It was Sue that smiled though, as if she gave permission for Thomas to look.
No matter where Thomas was in the house, Sue made a point to enter the room to offer something to him; either a cup of lemonade, water, or coffee. Even though her duties ended before noon, she still came back a different time to make supper and clean up. Sue was not shy about letting her kids come with her on some days, as she made sure Thomas was looked after.
Thomas was always thankful, and would force her to have a conversation at times. It became clear to him that she was not use to be talked to like an equal, and would only give short answers, but each conversation seemed to get longer as the days progressed. He did not know if it was the fear of losing her meager job, or the fact she was black and he was white. To ease her fears, Thomas treated and acted as if she was white. He made her use the front door, and insisted upon her calling him by his first name. Sue agreed upon all of Thomas's conditions, except when in public. She said it would only cause problems.
With three children who visited it was common to have a noisy house at times. Thomas never minded having a busy house, and sometimes welcomed them to play indoors when it became too cold. Thomas knew they enjoyed coming around, but life as a sharecroppers child was not an easy one. He knew that they had a to help the family if they would ever survive.
It was almost a year since Thomas's loss, and starting another relationship was far removed from his mind and heart. Thomas let things lay as they were when he arrived, and did not pursue anything except a profitable farm.
With each passing week, Thomas made progress with the mess that was left to him by the former occupant. When the ledgers, with all the outstanding loans were finished, Thomas realized that Sue and her husband owed the most. Each passing year they owed more than was borrowed, while their harvest yield decreased. All the other sharecroppers owed a small amount, but Clayton's outstanding loans were almost five times as much. Thomas wondered why Sue and her husband was even allowed to still be on the land.
At the start of the season when the sharecroppers came to Thomas to discuss the terms for loans, he told Sue the bad news. She and her husband would have to payback a large portion of their debt of have to leave the land. He felt guilty about what he had to do, but he knew business came first. He remembered what happened when you let personal feelings get in the way in the past. The pain he felt from his loss helped him make his decision.
When Sue came to work the next day, Thomas was waiting for her. He could not help but stare into her dark brown eyes as he broke the news to her. "I have some bad news. I am going to have to have Clayton and you off the farm unless you pay back a good some of what is owed."
Before Thomas could finish telling Sue she turned around and locked the front door, as if she was fired and told to leave. As she turned to Thomas her expressions changed. "I guessin you be wanting the same deal as Mista Johns. Been waitin for you to ask. Thought you be just young and shy at first. Then I found you were just nice as they said."
Thomas stood in utter disbelief as Sue walked to him. His curiosity took over and he questioned her. "What deal did you have with Mr. Johns?"
Sue walked calmly over to Thomas and let her hands rest on his shirt. "He be lettin things slide for me helping out. You know... with his needs and all."
Thomas fought the urge to not think about having Sue in his arms and bed. The simple thought of her naked brought forth his erection. It was his need for love that brought him back to reality. He knew that this was nothing more then forced prostitution. "I am sorry Sue, but I can't. I find you very attractive and ... it's not right is all."
Sue's face was more determined as ever. Her hand now slid down from his shirt to Thomas's pants. Feeling the bulge grown under her touch she replied back. "I feel you be wantin it. Besides ... I see you lookin at me that way."
